How the US-UK coalition strikes on the Houthis affect the prospects of peace and stability in Yemen and the region
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Raven Ruma
- . January 13, 2024
- . Update: January 13, 2024 6:32 pm
The US-UK coalition strikes on the Houthis in Yemen on January 11, 2024, were the first direct military action by the Western allies against the Iran-backed rebel group, which has been fighting the internationally recognized government of Yemen since 2014.
The strikes, which involved warplanes, ships, and submarines, targeted Houthi launch and storage sites for drones, cruise and ballistic missiles, which the Houthis have used to attack commercial vessels in the Red Sea since October 2023.
The strikes were part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational maritime security force, which was formed in December 2023 to defend international shipping and deter Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
The Impact
The US-UK coalition strikes on the Houthis have significant and complex implications for the prospects of peace and stability in Yemen and the region. On one hand, the strikes could have a positive impact, by weakening the Houthis’ military capabilities and leverage, and by increasing the pressure and incentives for them to engage in a political dialogue and a ceasefire with the Yemeni government and its regional allies, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
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The strikes could also have a positive impact, by demonstrating the US-UK commitment and leadership to uphold the norms and rules that support the freedom of navigation and the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law.
On the other hand, the strikes could have a negative impact, by escalating the conflict and violence in Yemen and the region, and by provoking the retaliation and resistance of the Houthis and their main sponsor, Iran.
The strikes could also have a negative impact, by undermining the humanitarian and diplomatic efforts to end the war and the crisis in Yemen, which has caused the world’s worst humanitarian disaster, with millions of people facing famine, disease, and displacement. The strikes could also have a negative impact, by complicating the US-UK relations and negotiations with Iran and other actors in the region, such as Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, where Iran and its proxies have a strong presence and influence.
The Future
The future of the US-UK coalition strikes on the Houthis and their effects on the peace and stability in Yemen and the region will depend on the balance and compromise between the various stakeholders and factors involved, such as the military and the political, the regional and the international, the security and the humanitarian, and the public and the private.
The future will also require cooperation and dialogue among the different actors and perspectives, such as the US-UK and the Houthis, the Yemeni government and the opposition, the Saudi-led coalition and the Iran-backed alliance, and the United Nations and the civil society. The future will also demand the respect and tolerance for the diversity and complexity of society and the world.
