US air strikes on Yemen’s Houthis will not defeat the rebels nor deter them from attacking shipping in the Red Sea; instead a diplomatic push is needed, experts have told The National.
Washington has launched strikes on the Iran-backed rebels since mid-March, after they threatened to resume their attacks on international ships and Israel. US President Donald Trump vowed to “annihilate” the group, which says the strikes will not limit its capability.
“The US strikes by themselves cannot defeat the Houthis,” Baraa Shiban, a Yemen expert and associate fellow at the Rusi defence and security think tank, told The National. “The Houthis control a vast territory that enables them to absorb the damage. Like any other war, without ground operations, air strikes cannot guarantee you a victory.
“The US needs to work with its Yemeni allies [the internationally recognised government] – the Yemenis who gain the most out of defeating the Houthis.
“The Houthis are obsessed with territory and so far they are not losing territory. Until they start losing territory, the impact will always be limited,” Mr Shiban said. “Similar to Hezbollah, they will be heavily damaged if they start losing their command structure. This is the backbone of the group and what enables them to continue their operations despite the many challenges they face.
The rebels began targeting ships in the Red Sea in November 2023, a month after the start of the Israel-Gaza war, claiming solidarity with the Palestinians. The attacks continued despite the US and the EU deploying naval forces in the area, but halted after a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas went into effect on January 19.
Thomas Juneau, a Middle East analyst and professor at the University of Ottawa in Canada, said a diplomatic push alongside the air campaign was needed to stop the Houthi threat.
“As long as there is no viable, unified anti-Houthi front in Yemen, the Houthis will continue to dominate domestically and pose a threat regionally,” Mr Junea told The National.
Houthi military capabilities
The US strikes have focused on military installations and equipment, as well as draining Houthi resources, but the group has consistently demonstrated its ability to adapt and recover during the past decade of civil war.
“Houthi military installations and assets are scattered throughout the country, often in mountainous or urban areas, and have been designed to be able to withstand air attacks by a more militarily powerful adversary,” Mr Junea said.
Although the latest US strikes will cause more material damage compared to the limited strikes under the previous administration, of President Joe Biden, it will not be enough, he said.
Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East programme at London's Chatham House, pointed out that the Houthis operate in mountainous terrain and have also built underground capabilities, saying: “It will be very difficult to target everyone and everything.”
Moreover, years of conflict “have emboldened rather than weakened the Houthis and at this point they have nothing to lose”, Ms Vakil told The National.
“It is likely that their military capabilities will be damaged and some operations will be disrupted. There is a scenario where they lay low for a while and recoup and consider new tactics,” she said.
Alternative methods
Afrah Nasser, a non-resident fellow at the Arab Centre in Washington, said military force alone was not enough when dealing with the Houthis, and the US administration should recognise Yemen's intricate situation.
“A successful approach demands a comprehensive strategy integrating military, political, economic and diplomatic elements,” Ms Nasser said.
The US should “closely align with a unified Yemeni government to effectively counter Houthi influence”, she said, and recognise that the “Houthis are both a local actor with autonomous ambitions and an Iranian ally, rather than a mere proxy”.
Regional partners must be involved as well as Yemen’s international government, she said.
“This requires integrating regional partners, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, and the internationally recognised Yemeni government, into a cohesive strategy that prioritises a negotiated settlement, economic stabilisation and inclusive governance, rather than relying solely on military pressure,” Ms Nasser said.
Additionally, Iran's “umbilical cord” and channels through which the Houthis smuggle weapons, missiles and drones must be cut, Marwan Ali Noman, former Yemeni deputy permanent representative to the UN, told The National.
“The Yemeni government should be supported to regain full control of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,” Mr Noman said. He said it was vital that air strikes targeted Houthi leaders and not civilian infrastructure.
“Civilian casualties will support the Houthi narrative that they’re in a war against the US and Israel and will help them in mobilising more recruits,” he said.
Museum of the Future in numbers
- 78 metres is the height of the museum
- 30,000 square metres is its total area
- 17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
- 14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
- 1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior
- 7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
- 2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
- 100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
- Dh145 is the price of a ticket
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
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What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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Starring: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, John Oliver
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
