What’s happening:
The US military carried out additional airstrikes on a Houthi-controlled radar site in Yemen as a follow-up to a series of strikes the day before. These strikes were authorized after a campaign of rebel attacks that endangered commercial vessels was identified.
Why it matters:
This series of military actions underscores significant regional instability as the Houthis retaliate for Israel’s active military measures in Gaza. The targeting of Houthi positions has escalated concerns about potential shifts into wider conflict, while the security of vital international trade routes through the Red Sea is at stake.
Backdrop:
Following the US-led assault which targeted Houthi rebel positions responsible for threatening commercial shipping, Associated Press journalists reported hearing a loud explosion in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. At least five people were reported killed in the initial wave of attacks that impacted a variety of sites within Houthi-held territory.
The Big Picture:
The US Navy fired Tomahawk missiles from the destroyer USS Carney to dismantle the radar capabilities of the Houthi forces. Earlier strikes had involved over 150 precision munitions, indicating the scale of the operation. Intensified military actions by the US have reignited the dialogue about Washington’s involvement in the conflict, with President Biden facing pushback from legislators about seeking congressional approval ahead of these strikes. Amid this, the White House had hinted at reclassification of the Houthis as a terrorist group after briefly reversing a Trump-era designation in 2021.
Regional Impact:
The Southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden present significant maritime routes, critical for the passage of global trade and energy resources. Disruptions due to Houthis targeting ships in the Red Sea were taken exceptionally seriously amid the group’s pledge for forceful retaliation. Saudi Arabia, a nation directly affected by the Yemeni conflict on its southern border, has attempted to navigate a cautious diplomatic route with a cease-fire in Yemen and a balancing act regarding its relationship with Iran.
What’s Next:
The security alert for American-flagged ships to steer clear suggests military and intelligence officials anticipate potential retaliatory acts by Houthi factions. As US officials brace for possible responses following the consecutive days of strikes, there is heightened contraction about further devaluation of the currently delicate Middle Eastern stability and security landscape.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.