The United States has ramped up its bombing campaign against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, known as “Operation Rough Rider,” targeting over 1,000 sites since March 15. Analysts are skeptical about the effectiveness of this effort, noting the Houthis remain resilient despite losses. The strikes have reportedly deepened their ties with Iran, complicating US ambitions to weaken the group amid ongoing nuclear negotiations.
As of March 15, the United States has intensified its airstrikes against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen under a campaign called “Operation Rough Rider.” The aim of this operation is to stop Houthi assaults on shipping in the Red Sea while simultaneously pressuring Tehran amid ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. However, experts question whether this military escalation has made any tangible difference.
Colin Clarke, who leads policy and research at the Soufan Group, an intelligence consultancy based in New York, stated, “The Houthis remain undeterred.
Despite the ongoing military efforts by the United States, the situation concerning Yemen’s Houthis appears to be as complex as ever. The US bombardment has raised concerns about whether it may have inadvertently strengthened the Houthi position while failing to curtail their activities. Relationships with Iran also seem to deepen as the conflict continues, presenting a broader challenge for US policy in the region. This highlights the difficulty of achieving strategic objectives in a volatile setting. As the conflict progresses, the implications of these airstrikes raise questions about the effectiveness of traditional military responses to insurgencies supported by broader geopolitical alliances.
Original Source: www.rferl.org
