Houthi, Armed Group Increasingly Influential in the Middle East

The latest United States attack on the Houthi group in Yemen occurred on March 15, 2025, when U.S. fighter jets targeted Houthi headquarters in Sanaa and Saada. This attack killed at least 53 people and injured nearly 100 others.

The attack was carried out in response to actions by the Houthis, who were claimed to have launched hijackings and attacks on U.S. ships in the Red Sea, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. According to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Houthis have conducted 174 attacks on the U.S. Navy over the past 18 months and targeted commercial vessels 145 times.

US President Donald Trump vowed to use lethal force until the Houthis stopped attacking and warned Iran would be held accountable for the group's actions. In response, the Houthis attacked the US military with missiles and drones, targeting the aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman and its escort warships.

This attack marks one of the largest escalations in the conflict between the US and the Houthi since the Hamas-Israel war began in October 2023. Previously, the US and the UK had launched several attacks against the Houthi in response to threats to global trade routes in the Red Sea. However, this attack is different due to a direct statement from Trump, emphasizing that military actions will not cease until the Houthi completely lose their ability to attack ships in the shipping lanes. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth affirmed that the US will continue airstrikes on Houthi positions until the group halts its attacks.

The Red Sea is highly significant as it connects Europe with Asia through the Suez Canal and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. This route is used to transport approximately 12 percent of the total global trade, including oil and consumer goods. Due to threats from the Houthi, many shipping companies have opted to reroute their journeys via the Cape of Good Hope in Africa, which is longer and more costly.

The rerouting increases logistics costs, extends delivery times, and raises the prices of goods in the global market. In the long term, disruptions in the Red Sea could have significant impacts on global supply chains and the international economy.

The Houthi group originated in Yemen in the 1990s and gained international recognition after successfully seizing the Yemeni government in 2014. This group is rooted in the Zaydi Shia community in northern Yemen and has long been in conflict with the government supported by Saudi Arabia and its allies.

The Houthis claim that they are fighting to defend the rights of the Yemeni people from foreign intervention and Western domination. Since taking control of Sanaa, the group has faced various military interventions from a coalition led by Saudi Arabia, supported by the US and its allies.

In recent years, the Houthis have strengthened their capabilities by developing ballistic missiles and drones capable of reaching Israel and ships in the Red Sea. They also have a strong intelligence network and logistical capabilities that allow them to withstand prolonged airstrikes.

Although the US and Israel have repeatedly targeted Houthi military facilities, the group is still able to launch attacks with high effectiveness. Their success in facing a major military force shows that the Houthis are not just an ordinary armed group.

In the constellation of power in the Middle East, the future of the Houthis seems to still have influence, especially since they have proven quite significant military capabilities. With the ability to launch missile and drone attacks on Israel and disrupt global trade routes, the Houthis have positioned themselves as a real threat to the interests of the West and its allies.

The Houthis' success in withstanding years of military attacks shows that the group cannot be ignored. Israel, the US and the UK have repeatedly attacked Houthi military facilities, but these attacks have not been able to completely stop the group.

In recent months, the Houthis have stepped up their attacks on ships in the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestine. They have sunk two ships and seized another, causing unrest in the global shipping industry. Despite attempts by some countries to pressure the Houthis through diplomacy, the group has insisted that it will continue to attack ships affiliated with Israel and its allies. Some military analysts believe that the Houthis are using the conflict as a means to strengthen their position at home and increase their influence in the region.

In the future, the Houthis will likely remain part of the dynamics of regional conflicts. If the war in Gaza continues, the Houthis may continue to use their military actions as a form of solidarity with the Palestinians. However, if the military pressure from the US and its allies increases drastically, the Houthis could lose their power and territory in Yemen.

Another factor that could determine the future of the Houthis is political stability in Yemen. If a larger civil war occurs, the Houthis may face threats from other armed groups within the country. In addition, Saudi Arabia's position on the Houthis plays an important role, as there are indications that Riyadh prefers diplomacy to prolonged conflict.

In conclusion, the Houthis have evolved from a local rebel group to a powerful force in Middle Eastern geopolitics. The escalation of the conflict in the Red Sea shows that the group is still capable of challenging major powers such as the US and its allies.

As long as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and tensions with Iran continue, the Houthis will likely remain a major player in the region, both as a military threat and as a tool of geopolitical pressure. Meanwhile, the international community still faces major challenges in dealing with the Houthi threat, both through diplomacy and through more intensive military operations.

Note: The summary is based on a number of articles in Kompas.id with the help of a generative artificial intelligence (AI) engine and is still checked and edited by the Kompas editor.

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