The United States military conducted its sixth airstrike in Yemen on January 19th, using fighter jets to target Houthi rebel anti-ship missile launchers prepared for imminent attacks. The strikes come amid almost daily assaults by the Iranian-backed Houthis on commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The rebel group claims its naval actions are in retaliation for Israel’s prolonged offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, now entering its fourth deadly month. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, close to 25,000 Palestinians have been killed so far, with over half a million residents facing starvation per the U.N. The October 7th Hamas raid on Israel that opened the conflict led to around 1,200 Israeli casualties and over 100 hostages still held captive in Gaza.
Despite repetitive U.S. interventions to curb Houthi capabilities, the rebel faction continues disrupting critical shipping lanes. The latest operation focused on destroying equipment seen as an immediate threat, though long-term solutions remain unclear as regional conflicts interconnect. With peace negotiations stalled, the Red Sea corridor remains beset by attacks that endanger vessels bound for the Suez Canal.