Why Trump Declared Victory and Ended Campaign Against Houthis

 The New York Times published on 12 May 2025 an article titled "Why Trump Suddenly Declared Victory Over the Houthi Militia" by Helene Cooper, Greg Jaffe, Jonathan Swan, Eric Schmitt, and Maggie Haberman.

The Trump administration, following an internal debate, concluded that after 30 days of extensive airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen, it was just another expensive but inconclusive American military engagement in the region.  The Houthis shot down 7 MQ-9 Reaper drones, two $67 million aircraft fell off an aircraft carrier, and the US burned through in one month about $1 billion worth of weapons and munitions that were becoming in short supply.  

Although the operation disrupted and diminished Houthi capacity, it did not eliminate it or show signs of being able to do so.  President Trump decided to declare victory, negotiate a ceasefire, and end the airstrikes.  

More on US-Houthi Agreement

 Politico published on 6 May 2025 an article titled "Trump Announces US Will Stop Bombing Houthis" by Jack Detsch and Felicia Schwartz.  

President Trump described as a handshake agreement a willingness to stop bombing the Houthis if they no longer attack American ships.  A Houthi leader confirmed the agreement and Oman's foreign minister added that his country mediated talks between the United States and the Houthis.  

What to Watch for as US Strikes Houthis in Yemen

 Newsweek published on 2 May 2025 an article titled "U.S. War on the Houthis: Five Things to Watch" by Amira El-Fekki.

US airstrikes on the Houthis in Yemen is the first major military operation ordered by the current Trump administration.  The article identifies five key issues to watch for going forward.  

US Airstrikes Degrade Houthis' Ability to Launch Attacks

 Stars and Stripes published on 28 April 2025 an article titled "US Military Actions against Houthis Degrading Group's Attack Abilities, CENTCOM says" by Lara Korte.

The US Central Command says it has significantly degraded the ability of the Houthis to launch ballistic missile and drone attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea.  At the same time, questions continue to be raised as to the overall effectiveness of Operation Rough Rider.  

The Unanticipated Costs of Combatting the Houthis

 The Wall Street Journal published on 28 April 2025 an article titled "U.S. Jet Fighter Is Lost Overboard in Latest Mishap Involving Aircraft Carrier" by Nancy A. Youssef.  

An F/A-18E aircraft, valued at $70 million, under tow in the hanger bay fell off the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the Red Sea.  The ship is one of two aircraft carriers in the region conducting airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen.  

Bombing the Houthis with Advanced Weapons May Allow Them to Fall in Wrong Hands

 Business Insider published on 25 April 2025 an article titled "It Looks Like a StormBreaker May Have Landed Intact in Yemen, Raising the Risk the US Bomb Could Fall into the Wrong Hands" by Jake Epstein.  

US military aircraft appear to be using advanced "GBU-53/B StormBreaker" precision glide bombs in combat against the Houthis in Yemen.  An image has appeared in social media of a fully intact StormBreaker half buried in the sand in Yemen.  The concern is that it could fall in the wrong hands even though it is located in an area of Yemen not controlled by the Houthis.  

Impact of US Airstrike on Houthi Oil Port

 Switzerland-based NZZ published on 25 April 2025 an article titled "Charred Tanker Trucks, Oil Stains in the Sea: US Attack on Houthi Port in Yemen Causes Widespread Destruction" by Jessica Eberhart.  

The April 18 US airstrike on the Houth-controlled Ras Isa oil port on the Red Sea in Yemen caused widespread damage as documented by drone and satellite coverage.  The airstrike aimed to weaken the economic infrastructure of the Iranian-backed Houthis.  The ports destruction may impact the environment, regional stability, and the local economy.

The Cost of the Airstrikes on Houthis in Yemen

 ABC News published on 23 April 2025 an article titled "Houthis Shoot Down Growing Number of US Drones" by Luis Martinez.

This report quotes a US official as saying there have been about 750 US airstrikes against the Houthis since the beginning of Operation Rough Rider on 15 March.  This is a much higher number than other reporting.  The Houthis have shot down 6 Reaper drones during the same period and a seventh in early March.  Since US engagement against the Houthis began in October 2023, the Houthis have downed at least 15 Reapers.

Cost of War against the Houthis Is Rising

 The Associated Press published on 25 April 2025 an article titled "Houthi Rebels Have Shot Down 7 US Reaper Drones Worth $200 Million in Recent Weeks."

Houthi rebels in Yemen have shot down seven US Reaper drones in less than six weeks, a loss of aircraft worth more than $200 million at about $30 million each.  US Central Command reported that the United States has struck more than 800 Houthi targets.

What Has Been Accomplished with War on Houthis?

 Foreign Policy published on 22 April 2025 titled "Trump's War on the Houthis Is Going Nowhere" by Keith Johnson.

 The Trump administration has spent more than $1 billion in airstrikes on the Houthis, who remain as defiant as ever.  The Houthis charge that the administration has waded into a "quagmire."  There has been little transparency from the US side concerning the airstrikes, which are burning through precision munitions at a rapid rate. 

 

Can Airstrikes on Iran-backed Houthis Annihilate Them?

 The New York Times published on 18 April 2025 an article titled "U.S. Strikes on Yemeni Port Kills Dozens, Houthis Say" by Aaron Boxerman and Vivian Nereim.

President Trump has vowed to annihilate the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.  But as US airstrikes continue, the Houthis keep firing back, raising the question whether airstrikes can end the Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea.  

US Escalates Airstrikes on Houthis in Yemen

 CNN published on 18 April 2025 an article titled "More than 70 Killed in US Airstrikes on Yemen Port, Houthis Say" by Kareem El Damanhoury and Mohammed Tawfeeq.  

The US Central Command launched airstrikes April 17 on a fuel port in the Red Sea province of Hodeidah aimed at cutting off revenue to the Houthis.  US airstrikes have pounded Houthi targets in Yemen since mid-March.  Some Houthi missile attacks are continuing in the Red Sea and others aimed at Israel. 

US Airstrikes on Houthis Continue and Houthis Continue to Fire Back

 Stars & Stripes published on 2 April 2025 an article titled "Suspected US Airstrikes in Yemen Kill at Least 4 People Near Hodeida, Houthi Rebels Say" by Jon Gambrell.

US airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen are continuing and additional air assets, including B-2 bombers, are being moved into the region.  While no US warship has been struck, the U.S. Navy "has described the Houthi fire as the most intense combat its sailors have faced since World War II."

Comment:  This situation continues to raise the question whether the Houthi drone and missile attacks can be defeated by airstrikes alone.  

Houthis Apparently Take Down Another US Reaper Drone

 Stars & Stripes published on 5 March 2025 an article titled "US Drone Lost over Red Sea on Same Day Houthi Claim of MQ-9 Reaper Downing" by Lara Korte.

A military MQ-9 Reaper drone disappeared over the Red Sea on March 3, the same day Houthis claim to have shot one down.  The US has lost 12 MQ-9 Reaper drones to the Houthis since the start of the war in Gaza.  

Houthi Attacks on Shipping and Counter Measures

 The US Naval Institute News published on 2 January 2025 an article titled "Top Stories 2024: The Battle Between the Houthis and Commercial Shipping" by Heather Mongilio.

This is a review of Houthi attacks during 2024 on international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and efforts by the United States and United Kingdom to bring them to an end.  

US Navy Neutralizes Houthi Missiles/Drones Targeting US-Flagged Vessels

 ABC News Radio posted on 2 December 2024 a story titled "US Navy Shoots Down Houthi Missiles Targeting US-flagged Commercial Ships in Gulf of Aden."

Houthi rebels in Yemen launched over the weekend 3 anti-ship ballistic missiles, 3 attack drones, and 1 anti-ship cruise missile against 3 US-flagged commercial ships in the Gulf of Aden.  Two US Navy destroyers shot down all of them; there were no injuries.  

Call for More Aggressive Action To Counter Houthi Red Sea Attacks

 The Middle East Institute published on 23 July 2024 a commentary titled "The Situation in the Red Sea Is Not Getting Better" by Joseph L. Votel, Commander of U.S. Central Command from 2016-2019.  

Houthi drone and missile attacks on international commerce in the Red Sea have significantly reduced the volume and increased the costs of shipping.  Efforts by the United States and its allies to end the Houthi attacks have not succeeded.  General Votel calls on the U.S. to take more aggressive steps "to blunt, disrupt, and destroy Houthi military capabilities."

US Sends New Carrier Strike Group to Red Sea

 Stars and Stripes published on 8 July 2024 an article titled "Houthi Threats Continue Amid Imminent Arrival of USS Theodore Roosevelt in Middle East" by Alison Bath.

The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is arriving in the Red Sea soon to replace the Dwight D. Eisenhower.  It includes 2 destroyers.  The purpose is to neutralize Houthi drone and missile attacks on international shipping.  

Houthi Attacks on Red Sea Shipping Continue

 Arab News published on 2 June 2024 an article titled "Houthis Fire Barrage of Drones, Missiles at Ships, Including US Destroyer" by Saeed al-Batati.

Houthis in Yemen continue to use drones and missiles to attack international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.  According to the U.S. Central Command, the most recent salvo did not hit any ship.  But the Houthis are able to maintain their attacks in spite of U.S. and U.K. efforts to eliminate the launch sites.  

Attack on Chinese-owned Ship in Red Sea Likely a Houthi Mistake

 Breaking Defense published on 25 March 2024 an article titled "Purported Houthi Strike on Chinese Vessel in Red Sea Likely a 'Mistake': Experts" by Agnes Helou.  

The Houthi missile attack on the Chinese-owned M/V Huang Pu is generally believed to have been an intelligence failure by the Houthi rebels rather than an attempt to target Chinese interests.  Russia and China had earlier been informed by the Houthis that their ships would be exempt from attacks.

Comment:  While this is probably the case, the incident still underscores for all shipping interests, including those with Chinese and Russian connections, the danger the Houthis pose for everyone in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden..