BLUF

The Pentagon has provided more details on its latest strike against Houthi targets in Yemen, but the goal of making the Red Sea safe for merchant ships still seems out of reach.

Summary

  1. Strike involved 15 Houthi* targets across five locations.
  2. Targets included training and weapons storage facilities.
  3. Strikes from Navy ships and Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles.
  4. Although largely ineffective, Houthi attacks have deterred shipping. 
*The Houthis, a Shia-aligned group supported by Iran, are in conflict with Yemen’s internationally recognised government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia and Sunni coalition forces.

References