Experts believe that the US-British strikes aimed at the Houthis in Yemen are unlikely to stop the threats they pose in the Red Sea, according to a report by the "AFP" agency. The United States and Britain launched more than 150 strikes on over thirty military sites controlled by the Houthis late Thursday to Friday. Washington announced on Friday evening that it had directed another strike in Yemen.
The aim of the strikes is to destroy the infrastructure of drones, missiles, and radars that the Houthi militia has repeatedly used in recent weeks to target commercial vessels in one of the world's most important shipping routes. US General Douglas Sims stated on Friday that the Houthis have already launched an anti-ship missile "in response" to the US-British strikes, and that the United States anticipates "retaliatory attempts" from the rebels, who have adopted a "belligerent rhetoric."
John Alterman, director of the Middle East program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, believes that the US and British strikes "mitigate" the Houthi threat to commercial shipping, but do not "eliminate" it. He added that "the challenge lies in convincing the Houthis that further strikes (against vessels) will be against their interests," noting that "it is not yet certain that they have reached this conclusion."
If attacks continue, the United States could continue to strike the Houthis and also target locations where Iranian trainers and experts are stationed, according to John Alterman.
Mark Schwartz, a retired US general and researcher at the RAND Corporation, expects Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea to continue, but perhaps more against commercial than military vessels. He added that the US-British operation has currently targeted military infrastructure, but new strikes could target senior Houthi military officials. However, Mark Schwartz clarified that the Houthi rebels operate in cells and "hide among civilian populations," complicating access to their leaders.
Elliott Abrams, a researcher on Middle Eastern affairs at the Council on Foreign Relations, stated that the US-British strikes "were not a symbolic step." He added, "The Houthis may launch new attacks, but with less frequency and intensity," noting that "Iran will ask them to calm down."
It is worth mentioning that US President Joe Biden warned that he would "respond" if the Houthis continued their "unacceptable behavior," while US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated that the rebels would face "new consequences" if they did not cease their "illegal attacks."
