Trump wants to eliminate the Houthis, but it won’t be at all easy

The Trump administration aims to defeat the Houthis in Yemen, but experts warn: the operation may not be easy and risks involving a wider regional escalation

Donald Trump has promised to ‘completely annihilate the Houthis’, but his words clash with the complexity of the reality in Yemen. According to the New York Times, the objective of the operations, according to revelations from the chats, is to protect trade routes in the Red Sea and deter attacks on merchant vessels, including the crucial Suez Canal. However, defeating the Houthis may prove to be a more difficult challenge than expected.

The Houthis, who have been fighting against a Saudi-led coalition since 2015, have shown surprising resilience and independence from Iranian support, unlike groups such as Hezbollah. Control over territory, according to James R. Holmes of the Naval War College, is the key to winning: ‘Jets cannot occupy territory,’ he notes, suggesting that troops may be needed on the ground.

Moreover, escalation could have regional consequences. The Houthis, who have been attacking ships in the Red Sea since 2023, have also targeted Israeli-linked vessels in response to military operations in the Gaza Strip. After the air raids ordered by Trump, the Houthis launched ballistic missiles towards Israel, fuelling the risk of a conflict on several fronts.

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