An Assessment of US Airstrikes on Houthi Rebels in Yemen

 The CTC Sentinel published in June 2025 an analysis titled "Feature Commentary: An Assessment of Operation Rough Rider" by Gregory Johnsen, an expert on Yemen.  

The United States carried out more than 1,100 airstrikes over 52 days this past spring against Houthi rebels in Yemen.  This article provides an assessment of that campaign known as Operation Rough Rider.  The US intelligence community reportedly concluded that the airstrikes caused "some degradation" but the Houthis were in a position to easily reconstitute, regroup, and rebound.  The Red Sea crisis is far from over.  

Yemen's Houthis Threaten US after Strike on Iran

 A Saudi paper headquartered in London, Asharq Al-Awsat, published on 21 June 2025 an article titled "Yemen's Houthis Say Response to US Attack on Iran Only a Matter of Time."

Yemen's Houthis, who have the support of Iran, have been engaged in a sporadic campaign against international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.  Following the end of US airstrikes on the Houthis, they stopped attacking ships in the region but left the door open to continued attacks on Israel.  

Following the US strike on nuclear sites in Iran, a member of the Houthi political bureau said the ceasefire with the United States is over and the group's response to the US attack is "only a matter of time."

Houthi-al-Shabaab Cooperation in Red Sea Region

 The Africa Center for Strategic Studies published on 28 May 2025 an analysis titled "Expanding Al-Shabaab-Houthi Ties Escalate Security Threats to Red Sea Region."

Growing collaboration between al-Shabaab and the Houthis is enabling both militant groups and contributing to heightened maritjme and land-based threats on both sides of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Somali Piracy Is Returning to Region

 The Telegraph published on 4 May 2025 an article titled "Somali Pirates Use Red Sea Crisis to Stage Return" by Ben Farmer.

Illegal fishing and Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea are driving a slow revival of Somali pirate attacks.  In 2025, three vessels have been captured so far by Somali pirates.  

Issues for US in War on Houthis

 The Congressional Research Service posted on 17 April 2025 a policy brief titled "Yemen: Conflict, Red Sea Attacks, and U.S. Policy" by Christoper M. Blanchard. 

This paper provides a nonpartisan summary of developments concerning Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, the US response, and current US policy.   

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.

Somaliland To Press Trump Administration for Recognition

 The New York Times published on 12 April 2025 an article titled "African Breakaway State Offers U.S. a Chance to Stick It to China" by Abdi Latif Dahir and Joao Silva.

Somaliland, which unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in 1991, has reportedly offered the United States the option of establishing a military base in exchange for diplomatic recognition.  Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi plans to visit Washington in the coming months when he will make the case for recognition, which is already supported by some Republican members of Congress.  

Somalia Offers Port Deal to US

 Semafor published on 28 March 2025 an article titled "Somalia Offers US 'Control' over Strategic Ports" by Amanda Sperber.  

Somalia's government has offered the United States "exclusive operational control" over strategic ports on the Gulf of Aden in an effort to preclude a decision by Washington to recognize the independence of Somaliland.  The offer includes the port of Berbera under the control of Somaliland and Bosaso under the control of Puntland.  

Will the US End the Threat Posed by Yemen's Houthi Rebels?

 The Council on Foreign Relations published on 21 March 2025 a commentary titled "The Siege of the Red Sea" by Michael Froman.

Large scale US air strikes on the Houthi rebels in Yemen by the Trump administration have escalated the attacks beyond what was done during the Biden administration.  Nevertheless, the Houthis remain defiant, and the outcome of this campaign remains uncertain.  

Seeking Stability in the Red Sea Region

 The International Crisis Group published on 21 March 2025 an analysis titled "Calming the Red Sea's Turbulent Waters."

The lengthy study concluded: "Now that the ceasefire has collapsed, renewed salvos between the U.S. and the Houthis, as well as the Houthis and Israel, amid rising tensions between Western states and Iran, and the potential for a fresh upsurge in fighting in Yemen have cast a darkening pall over the region.  Lasting stability in the Red Sea will depend on steering these conflicts toward a peaceful conclusion." 

Possible Resumption of Houthi Attacks on Red Sea Shipping

 The Maritime Executive published on 5 March 2025 an article titled "Risks of Houthi Attacks on Shipping Increase."

On January 19, the Houthi leadership in Yemen suspended attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden so long as the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel held.  A resumption of hostilities would likely result in new Houthi attacks on shipping.  

The Palestine Chronicle posted on 8 March 2025 an article titled "Ansarallah Gives Israel 4 Days to Allow Gaza Aid or Face Red Sea Operations."

The Houthis announced on 7 March that they will resume attacks on "Israeli targets" within 4 days if Israel does not allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Houthis Emerge from Red Sea Shipping Attacks Unscathed

 Geopolitical Monitor published on 19 February 2025 an analysis titled "Houthis Emerge from Red Sea Shipping Crisis Unscathed" by Paulo Aguiar.

Since the beginning of their attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in 2023, the Houthis have steadily gained military strength and political leverage, fueled their recruitment, and increased their foothold in northern Yemen.  While US, UK, and Israeli airstrikes have targeted missile launch sites, radar systems, and storage facilities, they have not significantly degraded the Houthis' fundamental military capabilities.   

Houthis Claim Attacks on US Navy Carrier Strike Group

 The US Naval Institute News published on 17 January 2025 an article titled "Houthis Claim 7th Strike on Carrier Truman as Red Sea Conflict Continues" by Heather Mongilio.

Houthis in Yemen announced that they had carried out their 7th attack on the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group in the Red Sea.  While the US has not officially responded to these claims, they appear to fall in the category of misinformation.  

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.  

Yemen's Houthi Rebels Expand Ties into Horn of Africa

 The CTC Sentinel published in December 2024 an analysis titled "Looking West: The Houthis' Expanding Footprint in the Horn of Africa" by Michael Horton.  

The Yemen-based Houthi rebels are solidifying ties with al-Shabaab and arms smugglers that operate in Somalia and Puntland.  The Houthis are also improving their relations with al-Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula, which is aligned with al-Shabaab.  

An Analysis of Houthi Attacks on International Shipping

 The International Institute of Strategic Studies published in December 2024 a research paper titled "Navigating Troubled Waters: The Houthis' Campaign in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden" by Wolf-Christian Paes, Edward Beales, Fabian Hinz, and Albert Vidal Ribe.

The paper examines the Houthis' attacks on ships since November 2023 and the international military responses, as well as the economic impact of the crisis.  It also considers the Houthis' arsenal and the smuggling of weapons and their components to Yemen.  

Although most attacks have missed or did little damage, the Houthis have sunk two ships, and four sailors have lost their lives.  The economic impact of the crisis on global supply lines has been more limited than was first anticipated.  After twelve months of sustained attacks on Western shipping, the current response by the international community has failed to reach its stated goals.  

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.  

An Analysis of China's Approach to the Red Sea Crisis

 The 2024 fall edition of Middle East Policy contains an article titled "Security in Neutrality: Chinese Engagement in the Middle East and the Red Sea Crisis" by Christopher K. Colley and Joshua R. Goodman, both at the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base.

The authors conclude that the primary goal of China in the Red Sea crisis is to use diplomacy to avoid escalation and entanglement in military conflict.  Its second preference is to free ride on the efforts of others.  If there are clear dangers to Chinese nationals or economic interests, it is prepared to respond militarily.  

Indian Ocean Security and US Strategy

 The East-West Center published on 18 October 2024 a bulletin titled "Connecting West and East: Indian Ocean Security and the US Indo-Pacific Strategy" by Nilanthi Samaranayake.  

Washington appears to be increasingly recognizing the importance of the western Indian Ocean, suggesting that it may be starting to conceive of the Indian Ocean as a region on its own terms.  

Russia Helps Houthis Target International Shipping in Red Sea

 The Wall Street Journal published on 24 October 2024 an article titled "Russia Provided Targeting Data for Houthi Assault on Global Shipping" by Benoit Faucon and Thomas Grove.

Using satellite data, Russia provided Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen with targeting information against international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.