US-led coalition strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen: What you need to know
On Saturday, January 22, 2024, the US-led coalition launched a series of air and naval strikes against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have been attacking international and commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The strikes were the latest in a series of military actions taken by the coalition to protect global trade and security, and to support the UN-led peace process in Yemen. Here are some key facts and background on the situation:
Who are the Houthis and why are they attacking ships?
The Houthis are an armed group that follows a branch of Shia Islam called Zaydism. They control most of northern and western Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa. They have been fighting a civil war against the internationally recognized government of Yemen, led by President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, since 2014. The government is backed by a coalition of Arab states, led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and supported by the US, the UK, and other countries.
The Houthis are also allied with Iran, which provides them with weapons, training, and funding. Iran and the Houthis share a common hostility towards Saudi Arabia and Israel, and oppose the US presence and influence in the region. The Houthis claim that they are defending Yemen from foreign aggression and interference, and that they are fighting for the rights and dignity of the Yemeni people.
Since October 2023, the Houthis have been launching missiles and drones at ships in the Red Sea, one of the world’s busiest and most strategic waterways. The Red Sea connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean, and is a vital route for oil and gas shipments, as well as other goods and commodities. The Houthis say that they are targeting ships that are Israeli-owned, flagged, or operated, or that are heading to Israeli ports. However, many of the vessels that have been attacked have no connection with Israel, and some have been carrying humanitarian aid or fuel for Yemen.
The Houthis have also said that their attacks are in retaliation for Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which began in October 2023 and has killed more than 2,000 people, mostly Palestinians. The Houthis have expressed solidarity with the Palestinian cause, and have accused Israel of committing war crimes and violating international law. The Houthis have also blamed the US and its allies for supporting Israel and enabling its aggression.
What did the US-led coalition do and why?
The US-led coalition, which includes the UK and other countries, has been conducting strikes against the Houthis since January 11, 2024, in response to their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. The coalition says that the strikes are intended to disrupt and degrade the Houthis’ capabilities to conduct their reckless and destabilizing attacks, and to protect the freedom of navigation and the safety of civilians and commercial vessels.
On Saturday, January 22, 2024, the coalition launched its largest and most comprehensive operation against the Houthis, targeting at least 30 Houthi sites across 13 locations in Yemen. The sites included storage facilities, missile systems, launchers, air defense systems, and radars, according to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The strikes were carried out by US and UK warplanes, as well as US and UK warships, which fired Tomahawk cruise missiles. The coalition received support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.
The strikes came after the Houthis launched a barrage of missiles and drones on Saturday, targeting a US ship providing support to Israel, according to a Houthi spokesperson. The US Central Command said it had intercepted and destroyed six Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles that were prepared to launch against vessels in the Red Sea, as well as several Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles. The US has conducted more than 12 strikes against the Houthis since January 11, 2024.
The coalition says that the strikes are not only aimed at defending global trade and security, but also at supporting the UN-led peace process and the legitimate government of Yemen. The coalition says that it is committed to finding a political solution to the conflict in Yemen, and to ending the suffering of the Yemeni people. The coalition also says that it is concerned about Iran’s malign influence and activities in the region, and that it will continue to counter Iran’s threats and provocations.
What is the UN-led peace process and what are the prospects for peace?
The UN-led peace process is an effort to end the civil war in Yemen and to restore stability and security in the country. The UN has been trying to broker a peace deal between the warring parties since 2015, but the talks have repeatedly stalled or collapsed due to disagreements and violations of ceasefires. The last round of talks was held in Sweden in December 2018, and resulted in a fragile truce and some confidence-building measures, such as prisoner exchanges and the reopening of the Sanaa airport. However, the main issues, such as the political transition, the power-sharing arrangement, and the security and economic reforms, remain unresolved.
The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, has been working to revive the peace process and to bring the parties back to the negotiating table. He has been meeting with representatives from the Yemeni government, the Houthis, and regional and international actors, such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Oman. He has also been exploring options with the parties to address some of their immediate priorities, such as regular public sector salary payments, affordable basic commodities, a functional banking system, and facilitating commercial activity.
The Special Envoy has reported some progress and positive signs in his mediation efforts, and has expressed his hope that the parties will be able to commit themselves to an agreement soon. He has said that there is clear determination on all sides to make progress towards a deal on humanitarian and economic measures, a permanent ceasefire, and the resumption of a Yemeni-led political process under UN auspices. He has also said that he has received steadfast support from the Security Council and the international community for his work.
However, he has also acknowledged that there are still issues that require further discussion, and that the situation in Yemen remains fragile and volatile. He has called on all parties to refrain from escalatory rhetoric and actions, and to cooperate with the UN and its humanitarian partners. He has also urged the parties to respect international humanitarian law and human rights law, and to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. He has warned that the war in Yemen has created a humanitarian crisis, with more than 20 million people in need of aid, and millions facing famine, disease, and displacement.
Conclusion
The US-led coalition’s strikes against the Houthi rebels in Yemen are a significant escalation in the conflict, and a reflection of the growing tensions and stakes in the region. The strikes are aimed at protecting global trade and security, and at supporting the UN-led peace process and the legitimate government of Yemen. However, the strikes also risk provoking further retaliation from the Houthis and their Iranian backers, and undermining the prospects for a political settlement. The only way to permanently end the war and the suffering in Yemen is through an inclusive and sustainable peace agreement, based on dialogue and compromise among the Yemeni parties, and backed by the regional and international community. The UN and its Special Envoy are playing a vital role in facilitating this process, and deserve the full support and cooperation of all stakeholders.
