U.S. Military Attacks Multiple Targets in Yemen

What Happened?

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) issued a press release yesterday stating:

‘On Dec. 30 and 31, U.S. Navy ships and aircraft targeted a Houthi command and control facility and advanced conventional weapon (ACW) production and storage facilities that included missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV). These facilities were used in Houthi operations, such as attacks against U.S. Navy warships and merchant vessels in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.’

The statement went on:

‘In addition, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force aircraft destroyed a Houthi coastal radar site and seven cruise missiles and one-way attack UAVs over the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damage to U.S. personnel or equipment in either incident. The strikes are a part of CENTCOM's effort to degrade Iran-backed Houthi efforts to threaten regional partners and military and merchant vessels in the region.’

Why it Matters

The Houthis control significant portions of Yemen, and in the past year the group has been firing missiles and launching drones at commercial ships passing through the Red Sea, in addition to launching weapons at Israel.

Since 2023 the Houthis have conducted over one hundred attacks on commercial shipping and at least a dozen attacks against Israel.

Who are the Houthis?

They are a Shia-Islamic extremist organization with several affiliated militias in Yemen. After a series of coups in the 1970s, a general named Ali Abdullah Saleh came to power in Yemen in 1978.

His regime was marked by rampant corruption and the current Houthi movement was founded in the 1990s on resistance to Saleh’s regime. After years of conflict in 2015 the Houthis took control of Yemen’s capital and government.

The group has close ties to Iran, which has long supplied the group with weapons, military advisors, and funding. 

After years of a Saudi led blockades conditions in Yemen have grown dire, but the Houthis have successfully managed to convince the population the United States and Israel are to blame. This has led to the recent Houthi attacks on Israel following the onset of the Gaza War in 2023.

The Houthi have also fired on U.S. Navy ships in the region.

How it Affects You

Once regarded as a ragtag group of poorly trained militiamen, according to retired Admiral James Stavridis, the Houthi have now developed a ‘Navy SEAL-like’ capability thanks to years of funding, training, and support from Iran.

With a long coastline and significant weaponry deployed, the Houthis are now able to menace nearby commercial shipping. Over ten percent of the global volume of commercial shipping passes within range of the Houthi weapons, and as a result shipping costs have increased for commercial vessels operating in the region. 

To date Houthi attacks on Israel have not resulted in significant damage or casualties. But given the extent of their arsenal it’s just a matter of time before their attacks on Israel turn deadly.

The recent CENTCOM strikes on Houthi targets are designed to decrease the group’s ability to conduct future attacks. But the most likely outcome will simply be a delay until the Houthi can replenish lost equipment from Iranian resupply missions.