US operations fail to weaken Houthi forces, rebel leader claims

The United States' efforts to weaken the military capabilities of the Houthis, the Yemeni rebel group "Ansar Allah," have failed, according to the group’s leader, Abdel Malik al-Houthi.

"The U.S. has not and will never weaken our military power. We assure our people that American aggression only strengthens our military capabilities further," al-Houthi stated in a broadcast on the rebel-run Al Masirah TV, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

"The Americans have not been able to secure shipping for their Israeli opponent, nor stop missile and drone attacks against them," the leader emphasized. He added that U.S. strikes "will never break the resolve or morale of the Yemeni people."

The Houthis have long held an anti-Israel position. Following the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed over 1,200 civilians and resulted in around 250 hostages being taken, the Houthis expressed strong support for Hamas. The group’s leader declared backing the Palestinian cause a "religious and moral duty" for all Muslims.

In November 2023, the Houthis announced they would target Israeli territory with missiles and block Israeli vessels from transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, as long as Israeli operations in Gaza continued.

The U.S. Department of Defense has reported that since 2023, the Houthis have carried out 145 attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

In response, the United States launched Operation Prosperity Guardian in late 2023, a multinational security initiative designed to secure maritime routes and ensure freedom of navigation in the region.

On January 12, 2024, U.S. and British forces conducted their first joint strikes on Houthi military targets in Yemen, using aircraft, warships, and submarines. These strikes have continued, targeting infrastructure used by the Houthis to launch attacks on international shipping.

The European Union has also established its own maritime security mission, Aspides, to protect vessels in the region.

Houthi attacks on shipping ceased temporarily in January 2025, following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The Houthis had stated that a halt to their attacks in the Red Sea was contingent upon an end to the fighting in Gaza. During the ceasefire, no attacks on commercial shipping were reported, indicating the group's alignment with Gaza's developments and its ideological opposition to Israel and its allies.

However, after the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire concluded, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a suspension of humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza. In retaliation, on March 7, "Ansar Allah" leader issued a four-day ultimatum, warning that naval operations would resume unless aid was restored.

On March 15, the U.S. launched strikes on Houthi targets by order of President Donald Trump, aimed at protecting American interests and ensuring maritime freedom. In response, the Houthis carried out a series of attacks on the U.S. aircraft carrier Harry Truman in the northern Red Sea, using missiles and drones. On April 9, the Houthi-controlled health ministry reported that, since March 15, U.S. airstrikes had killed at least 107 civilians and injured 223 others.

By Tamilla Hasanova