How the Houthis can frustrate the West

On Thursday, the United States and the United Kingdom launched two rounds of strikes against 72 Houthi targets in Yemen – a turn of events that is unsurprising given the joint statement issued to the Houthis a week prior, which read like an ultimatum. The Houthis have attacked civilian vessels in the Red Sea 27 times since 19 November, most recently less than 24 hours before the American and British bombs started falling. John Kirby, Joe Biden’s national security spokesman, told reporters a day later on Air Force One that ‘valid, legitimate military targets’ were struck and that Washington would do what is necessary if the Houthis continued on their present course. 

This isn’t the first time Washington and London have taken military action against the Houthis. Over the last several weeks, US and UK warships have shot down numerous Houthi missiles and drones. On New Year’s Eve, US helicopters even destroyed three boats seeking to attack a civilian ship, killing the Houthi militants onboard.