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The renewed US military offensive against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen reflects intensifying geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea and surrounding West Asian region. In early 2025, the US launched over 40 airstrikes targeting Houthi-controlled areas, including Sanaa, Saada, and the strategic port city of Hodeidah. The escalation follows months of Houthi attacks on international shipping, ostensibly in solidarity with Palestinians during the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Strategic Background and US Objectives

Houthi disruptions to maritime trade in the Red Sea—through drone, missile, and small-boat attacks—have endangered key shipping lanes through Bab-el-Mandeb and the Suez Canal. With nearly 15% of global seaborne trade passing through this corridor, including vital energy supplies, their actions have compelled ships to reroute around Africa, escalating shipping costs and global inflation risks.

Former US President Donald Trump, now leading a second administration, has vowed decisive retaliation. He re-designated the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) in early 2025 and emphasized that attacks by the Houthis would be interpreted as attacks by Iran, warning Tehran of dire consequences. Trump’s administration asserts that the airstrikes are aimed at restoring freedom of navigation and deterring Iranian influence in the region. However, critics argue this could be a calibrated signal to avoid direct confrontation with Iran while maintaining pressure ahead of potential nuclear negotiations.

Regional and International Dynamics

The Houthis, officially called Ansar Allah, have displayed remarkable resilience, withstanding over 20,000 airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition since 2015. Their asymmetric warfare tactics, inspired by groups like Hezbollah, rely on mobility, modular units, and advanced missile and drone technology. Despite repeated bombardments, they retain operational capabilities, evidenced by continued attacks on US naval assets and commercial vessels.

Although Tehran remains the group's principal backer, Houthi ties extend to Russia and China. Beijing, by purchasing nearly 90% of Iran’s oil exports in 2024, indirectly funds the Houthi supply chain. Many of the group’s anti-ship cruise missiles are derivatives of older Chinese designs, while Moscow reportedly provides targeting intelligence and small arms. This triangulation complicates US efforts, making the Houthis part of a broader anti-Western strategic bloc.

Regional Responses and the Humanitarian Toll

Interestingly, major Arab states, including Saudi Arabia—formerly the Houthis' chief adversary—have distanced themselves from the US offensive. Riyadh advised restraint in early 2024 and has reportedly avoided providing logistical support for the strikes. This signals a regional fatigue with military solutions and a possible pivot toward political engagement.

On the ground, the strikes have intensified the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. The Houthi-run health ministry reports at least 31 deaths and over 100 injuries. Yet, the group remains defiant, pledging to continue targeting vessels linked to the US, UK, or Israel until the Gaza blockade is lifted.

Conclusion

The Houthi-US conflict in the Red Sea epitomizes the nexus of regional geopolitics, maritime security, and great power rivalries. For India, which depends heavily on Suez Canal routes for trade and energy imports, developments in this theatre bear close watching. A prolonged conflict could disrupt global supply chains, heighten oil prices, and challenge freedom of navigation principles, central to India’s Indo-Pacific strategy.