President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Yemen’s Houthi rebels has reportedly cost the U.S. over $1 billion since it began in March, with extensive use of bombs, missiles, and military resources. Despite this investment, the Houthis continue to stage attacks, including one targeting Israel’s international airport recently. On Tuesday, Trump announced a surprising agreement to suspend U.S. military operations against the Houthis in exchange for the group halting attacks on U.S. ships, though this deal does not prevent the Houthis from targeting other nations, including Israel.
The talks leading to the agreement involved the Omani government, but details remain unclear, including its duration and long-term implications amidst ongoing tensions following the Hamas attacks on Israel. The U.S. campaign, named Operation Rough Rider, was difficult to measure in terms of effectiveness, with reports indicating that UAVs sent to assess operations were often shot down, and there were no American boots on the ground for direct evaluation.
This costly military endeavor has raised concerns about the sustainability of U.S. operations in the region. Critics note the Trump administration’s approach lacked the long-term commitment necessary for a meaningful outcome, agreeably identifying that merely ceasing operations against the Houthis won’t resolve the broader conflict in Yemen or restore complete freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.
The Biden administration had its own blueprint to tackle the Houthis but opted to delay direct action to avoid complicating the incoming administration’s options. If the Houthis comply with the agreement, the Trump administration may claim success in restoring freedom of navigation, but significant threats from the Houthis are expected to persist, particularly against Israel and commercial shipping in the region.
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