Countering the Houthis: A New US Strategy for Yemen

If the United States is drawn into another round of military action in Yemen, it ought to avoid the mistakes of the last decade. From about 2015 to last year, successive administrations backed Saudi‑ and Emirati‑led military campaigns, arms sales, and naval blockades that devastated civilians, deepened Yemen’s fragmentation, and perversely strengthened Houthi power and legitimacy instead of containing it.

Instead, Washington should treat force as one tool within a broader political and economic strategy. Officially known as Ansar Allah (“Partisans of God”) and referred to here as the Houthis for ease of reference, the group is a Zaydi revivalist political-military movement that emerged from a religious reform and protest current in Yemen’s northern highlands. It is distinct from the wider al-Houthi family and from Yemen’s broader Zaydi community — a distinction that is often blurred in public debate but remains politically important.

The movement has sustained itself through a pipeline of Iranian-supplied missiles, drones, and targeting support, as well as a steady stream of local recruits. As the regional confrontation with Tehran broadens, the group has emerged as one of Iran’s most consequential asymmetric assets, capable of opening new fronts, stretching Western air defenses, and threatening maritime commerce.

These insights come from a commentary published on April 17, 2026, by Erin K. McFee and Gillian Gordon on War on the Rocks, titled “How to Counter the Houthis Without Strengthening Them.” The authors argue that past U.S. Involvement in Yemen has often backfired, inadvertently bolstering the Houthis’ position by allowing them to frame themselves as defenders of national sovereignty rather than as an insurgent faction.

The commentary emphasizes that military force alone cannot resolve the threat posed by the Houthis. Instead, it should be integrated into a comprehensive strategy that includes political engagement and economic measures. This approach aims to address the root causes of instability in Yemen while reducing the group’s appeal and operational capacity.

Recent developments underscore the urgency of this perspective. In March 2025, the Trump administration re-designated the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, reversing a Biden-era decision. This move was followed by renewed U.S. Military strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, highlighting the ongoing cycle of confrontation.

Experts at The Washington Institute have noted that the current U.S. Military campaign differs from previous efforts in its targeting and coordination. However, they caution that lasting success will require broader policy efforts beyond kinetic action, including diplomatic engagement with regional partners and support for Yemen’s internationally recognized government.

The Atlantic Council has similarly urged for a comprehensive U.S. Policy toward Yemen that goes beyond countering the Houthis. Such a strategy would involve working with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to strengthen the Yemeni government and create conditions for a negotiated settlement, thereby addressing both security concerns and humanitarian needs.

As regional tensions persist, particularly in the Red Sea where Houthi attacks have disrupted global shipping, the need for a nuanced and sustainable approach becomes increasingly clear. The commentary on War on the Rocks serves as a timely reminder that military action, when not carefully calibrated, can exacerbate the very problems it seeks to solve.