Latest Developments
Central Command Continues to Strike Houthi Targets: The U.S. military continued conducting strikes against targets controlled by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen on March 17 as President Donald Trump warned that Tehran “will be held responsible, and suffer the consequences” of “[e]very shot fired by the Houthis.” According to Reuters citing Houthi media, strikes targeted the Red Sea port of Hodeidah and the Al Jawf governorate, located north of the capital city of Sanaa. Following the strikes, tens of thousands of people in Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen turned out to protest, waving placards and assault rifles while chanting “Death to America, death to Israel.”
Houthis Claim Retaliation Against Navy Vessels: The Houthis reportedly attempted to retaliate against U.S. warships in the region, claiming on Sunday to have launched 18 ballistic missiles and a drone at USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group vessels in two separate attacks. The attempted attack was confirmed to ABC News by a U.S. official who said that the group launched 11 drones and one ballistic missile and that none of them came close to hitting any U.S. vessels. The official confirmed that all the drones were shot down by U.S. warplanes and that the missile landed well short of its target.
Trump Says Iran Responsible for Houthi Actions: The latest attack comes after President Donald Trump authorized “decisive and powerful Military action” against the Houthis on March 15. On March 17, Trump posted on Truth Social that Iran was “dictating every move, giving them the weapons, supplying them with money and highly sophisticated Military equipment, and even, so-called, ‘Intelligence.’” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during an interview on March 16 that the U.S. campaign against the Houthis will be “unrelenting” and will only stop when “the Houthis say we’ll stop shooting at your ships, we’ll stop shooting at your drones.”
FDD Expert Response
“It’s good to see that this is a persistent campaign. However, the target set does not include the actual adversary — Iran. The United States needs to deliver a credible military threat to Iranian spy ships, missile production facilities, and ports.” —RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, FDD Senior Fellow and Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has used proxies for decades to conduct terrorism so that the regime can hide its hand and displace any counterpunches or consequences onto the terror puppets rather than the puppet master. In recent years, the regime in Tehran has been more open about its support for terror proxies, evidently convinced that Washington is more muscle than punch. Marking a clear shift from the Biden administration, Trump is now signaling that he knows the puppet master’s return address. If Trump makes good on these threats, it could signal a significant turning point in American foreign policy and Middle East regional security. If Trump does not make good on these threats, American credibility and deterrence will erode further.” — Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power
“After a second night of U.S. strikes, the Houthis have not been able to coordinate a strong response. Still, the Houthi threat can’t be taken lightly. The terrorist group, with support from Iran, has amassed a dangerous arsenal of advanced weapons capable of reaching U.S. interests across the Middle East. An ongoing commitment to striking Houthi infrastructure and personnel, as well as shutting down weapons smuggling routes, will be needed to restore lasting security in the Red Sea.” —Bridget Toomey, Research Analyst
FDD Background and Analysis
“‘Your Time is Up’: U.S. Conducts Broad Airstrikes on Houthis, Sends Message to Iran,” FDD Flash Brief
“Defeating the Houthis: Biden didn’t try; Trump can and should,” by Clifford D. May
“US military launches large-scale operation against Houthis in Yemen,” by Joe Truzman and Bill Roggio
“U.S. Relists Yemen’s Iran-Backed Houthis as Foreign Terrorist Organization,” by Bridget Toomey and Behnam Ben Taleblu
“The Houthis’ leadership structure,” by Joe Truzman
Issues:
Iran Iran Global Threat Network Iran-backed Terrorism Military and Political Power U.S. Defense Policy and Strategy