Ahed Ahmed Al -Sayed
In a remarkable statement reflecting a shift in the rules of engagement, US President Donald Trump announced that the recent strikes carried out by the American forces “eliminated the worst elements of the Houthis,” adding that the group had become “under severe pressure.” This statement was not merely a description of the military situation, but rather a direct political message that Washington no longer views the Houthis as a rebel group in Yemen, but rather as a direct military arm of the regime of the jurist in Iran.
This statement came at a sensitive time, amid the escalation of the Houthis of their attacks against ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, under the pretext of supporting the Palestinian cause. However, these operations are part of a broader system for Iran, which depends on its armed arms in the region to impose its influence, and to send pressure messages to the West in light of the stumbling of nuclear negotiations.
Trump described the Houthis as “another arm from Iran”, along with the militias like Hezbollah, indicating that they “make their missiles themselves and receive direct support from Tehran.” This statement reflects a new American understanding that the threat is not issued by an isolated local militia, but rather from an organized network that is managed within a comprehensive Iranian strategy.
In the midst of this escalation, Trump made an explicit warning to Iran, warning that any Houthi attack will be a direct Iranian attack. He added that Tehran will be forced to negotiate, or to face “difficult consequences.” This message was officially sent to the Iranian guide, Ali Khamenei, who renewed his rejection of the American offer, stressing the lack of confidence in Washington’s intentions.
The American interior itself was not devoid of tension. Details of the plans of the attack on the Houthis have sparked widespread controversy, and Trump faced criticism from his opponents who considered this an indication of a defect in the management of the security file, which prompted some Democratic Representatives to demand the resignation of senior officials.
The liquidation of a number of prominent Houthi leaders during the recent American strikes is a severe blow to the group. According to intelligence sources, among the targets are personalities who were playing central roles in the management of external operations, and coordination with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. This qualitative targeting not only weakens the field capabilities of the Houthis, but also shakes the confidence of their fighters and blesses their organizational structure, especially in the absence of leaders who are able to fill the void quickly.
On the other hand, observers believe that the escalation of Houthi operations is not only a field reaction, but also comes within Iran’s attempts to test the boundaries of the American response in light of rapid regional changes. Houthi represents an advanced pressure card that Tehran uses to bargain in major files, foremost of which is the nuclear program and economic sanctions. However, the change of the tone of Washington suggests that its patience with this extortion began to run out. With the expansion of the circle of political and military targeting against it, it faces today a decisive moment. The American message has become clear: proxy wars time approaches its end, and whoever insists on staying in it will pay the price.
