\\US Strikes Houthi Weapon Storage Sites in Yemen Amid Rising Tensions\\

On Saturday night, the United States conducted a series of airstrikes on Houthi-controlled weapon storage sites in Yemen, marking another escalation in the regional conflict. According to a U.S. defense official, these strikes targeted advanced weapons used by Houthi forces to attack military and civilian vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. 

The airstrikes, directed by U.S. Central Command, come in response to ongoing attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis on international shipping routes. For nearly a year, the Houthis have escalated their maritime campaign, claiming their strikes are in retaliation for the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Houthis have threatened to continue these attacks until Israel withdraws from Gaza, and they have expanded their campaign by launching drones and ballistic missiles that have reached as far as the Mediterranean.

The United States and the United Kingdom initially began striking Houthi targets in January 2024, following heightened Houthi attacks on the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Houthi forces have continued to clash with international players, including Israel, which recently retaliated with airstrikes on Houthi infrastructure at key Yemeni ports in September.

These U.S. airstrikes are the first since the recent U.S. presidential election. Meanwhile, Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi expressed skepticism about the incoming administration’s ability to quell the growing multi-front conflict. Further complicating matters, the Houthis claimed to have downed an American MQ-9 Reaper drone just days before the airstrikes.

The conflict between the Houthis and various international forces has become increasingly complex, with the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden—vital global trade routes—caught in the crossfire. As this regional struggle intensifies, the U.S. and its allies remain focused on safeguarding maritime security and countering threats in this critical area.