President Trump has initiated a major military operation against Yemen’s Houthis following their attacks in the Red Sea. The Houthis have historic roots in Yemen’s Zaydi Shi’ite movement and are led by Abdul Malik al-Houthi. Their actions, reflecting a broader anti-Israel sentiment and linked to Iran, have escalated regional tensions and prompted international responses to safeguard maritime trade.
Yemen’s Houthis, an Iran-aligned group, have become the focus of a significant U.S. military operation initiated by President Donald Trump. This operation follows a series of Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, which have resulted in at least 24 casualties and are projected to continue over the next several weeks, amidst rising sanctions on Tehran.
Originating from a religious revival in the late 1990s, the Houthi movement was established by the Houthi family, focusing on the Zaydi sect of Shi’ite Islam in Yemen’s northern region. They gradually developed into a formidable force after engaging in guerrilla warfare against the Yemeni army and confronting Saudi Arabia over border conflicts.
Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the leader of the Houthis, emerged from modest origins to command tens of thousands of fighters and sophisticated weaponry, including drones and ballistic missiles. Despite allegations from Saudi Arabia and Western nations pointing to Iranian support, Tehran vehemently denies these claims. Al-Houthi maintains a low profile, seldom appearing in public or interacting with the media.
The Houthis took control of significant areas in Yemen during the civil war that erupted in late 2014, when they captured the capital, Sanaa. This escalation prompted Saudi Arabia to lead a coalition aimed at supporting the Yemeni government, which led to widespread conflict. Although a brief peace process provided some calm, recent tensions, particularly linked to the Gaza conflict, have heightened fears of renewed violence.
In relation to their actions in the Red Sea, the Houthis have engaged in attacks on shipping routes as a gesture of solidarity with Palestine and Hamas. These actions, despite being framed as directed against Israeli-linked vessels, have endangered a broad spectrum of maritime traffic, prompting retaliatory airstrikes from the U.S. and Britain to safeguard vital shipping lanes used for global commerce.
The Houthis are often viewed as part of an “Axis of Resistance,” a coalition of militias opposing Western and Israeli influence in the region, with backing from Iran. They propagate a slogan that conveys their strong anti-American and anti-Israeli sentiment. However, despite their alliance with Iran, the Houthis assert their primary focus lies within domestic objectives, dismissing claims of complete dependency on Tehran.
In summary, Yemen’s Houthis have emerged as a significant military and political force with deep roots in regional dynamics. Their escalating actions in the Red Sea, leading to U.S. military retaliation, underscore the complexities of their ties to Iran and the broader geopolitical situation in the Middle East. As tensions rise, the ongoing conflict remains a crucial element of international security considerations.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
