Barran Press
An American analysis published on October 18 emphasizes the urgent need for a new strategy to confront the escalating threats posed by the Houthi group, which is internationally designated as a terrorist organization. The analysis argues that traditional military solutions have failed to rein in the group’s influence.
In the article published by Foreign Affairs and reviewed by "Barran Press," the author highlights that military strikes and economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. and its allies have not produced the desired results. This has prompted calls for a revised strategy to address the growing threat the Houthis pose to regional security.
The analysis proposes that Saudi Arabia should play a central role in applying pressure on the Houthis through economic and political tools, suggesting that "political and economic pressure from Saudi Arabia may be more effective than U.S. military action."
It also points to the failure of U.S. efforts to deter Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea since November 2023, which has disrupted global maritime trade. The report notes that Yemeni government forces managed to regain some territory from the Houthis in April 2022, indicating that military pressure could indeed compel the Houthis to engage in negotiations.
The analysis asserts that the Houthis' control is largely predicated on their narrative of resisting foreign aggression and that U.S. sanctions have had limited impact due to the group's reliance on local and illicit resources, alongside Iranian fuel.
Furthermore, it identifies the Houthis' economic situation as a significant vulnerability, suggesting that internal pressure from commercial, tribal, and political groups could be crucial to their suppression. The author notes that measures taken by the Yemeni government could prove more effective than American sanctions if they specifically target banks in northern Yemen.
The analysis concludes that enhancing the peace process in Yemen requires Saudi involvement, as the kingdom is the most vulnerable in the region and holds significant influence over the dynamics of the Yemeni peace talks. Moreover, it is the dominant player in the Arabian Peninsula.
Since November, the Iran-backed Houthi group has launched missile and drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea. In an effort to deter these actions, U.S. and British forces have been striking Houthi positions since January 12, while the U.S. military conducts occasional strikes on launch-ready missiles and drones.