Staff Reports
In a stunning turn of events, President Joe Biden found himself facing off against the battle-hungry Houthi rebels in Yemen, who seemed determined to pick a fight with Israel and the United States. It all started with the vicious attacks by Hamas terrorists in Israel, prompting Israel to take decisive action in the Gaza Strip. President Biden, who had been hoping to steer clear of any full-blown conflicts, had no choice but to flex America’s military might in response.
Can the US and UK bomb the Houthis into submission? https://t.co/nQTEGAFSrw https://t.co/nQTEGAFSrw
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) January 26, 2024
The Houthis, a relatively unknown group outside of Yemen until they seized control of the country’s capital in 2014, began their barrage by attempting to launch missiles into Israel. When that proved unsuccessful, they turned their attention to the vital Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, where they unleashed a series of missile and drone strikes on commercial ships passing through. This strategic chokepoint is responsible for facilitating a substantial portion of the world’s sea trade, including a significant portion of the grain and oil trade.
According to sources, the Houthis claimed their attacks were in support of Palestinians in Gaza, but some experts believe their true motive is to gain relevance and power on the world stage. The situation escalated rapidly, with the Biden administration deploying a formidable naval force, including a missile defense warship and two aircraft carriers, to the region to counter the Houthi aggression.
As the Houthi attacks persisted and warnings fell on deaf ears, the U.S. rallied a multinational maritime defense force with ships from 20 nations to protect international shipping, dubbed “Operation Prosperity Guardian.” In response to intensified attacks from the Houthis, the U.S. and the U.K. launched a massive air assault aimed at neutralizing Houthi missile sites.
Since then, the U.S. military has carried out numerous precision strikes to take out Houthi missiles and associated capabilities. Despite the administration’s repeated assurances that their focus is solely on ensuring the safety of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, the Houthis remain relentless in their attacks, even targeting a U.S.-owned container ship.
President Biden remains committed to the military strikes, though their effectiveness remains uncertain. This prolonged conflict has sparked unease among some members of Congress, who are urging Biden to seek congressional authorization for what they view as offensive military actions with the potential for dangerous escalation.
In a bold move, a bipartisan group of senators has called for greater congressional involvement and public debate before any further escalation occurs. The Houthis’ provocative actions and the ongoing military response by the U.S. have raised significant concerns about the potential for being dragged into another protracted conflict in the Middle East.
Amidst the escalating tensions, it seems that President Biden is caught between a rock and a hard place, as he attempts to navigate the precarious situation in Yemen while facing scrutiny and skepticism from both sides of the political aisle.
