President Donald Trump’s military campaign against the Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, initiated in March, has cost the U.S. over $1 billion without delivering a decisive blow to the group. Despite extensive operations and the use of approximately 2,000 bombs and missiles—valued at over $775 million—the Houthis have continued to launch attacks outside Yemen, including a recent strike targeting Israel’s main international airport.
On Tuesday, Trump announced a surprising deal to suspend U.S. strikes against the Houthis in exchange for the group halting attacks on U.S. ships; however, it remains uncertain how lasting or effective this agreement will be. The deal, brokered partly through the Omani government, appears to apply only to U.S. vessels, leaving other targets, including Israel, vulnerable to Houthi assaults.
This campaign, known as Operation Rough Rider, aimed to restore freedom of navigation in the Red Sea following increases in Houthi attacks on international shipping. Critics argue that the military’s actions have failed to meaningfully degrade Houthi capabilities. The Pentagon’s reliance on drones and no ground presence in Yemen has further complicated assessing campaign efficacy.
While the recent agreement may allow for a suspension of U.S. operations against the Houthis, experts warn it likely won’t alter the broader dynamics of the ongoing Yemen civil war or the militancy of the Houthis against other nations.
There have been internal divisions within the Trump administration regarding the commitment to this campaign, leading some officials to doubt whether it would yield substantial long-term outcomes. The administration now faces scrutiny about how to effectively navigate this complex geopolitical challenge while managing limited resources and attention.
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