We’ve been reporting over the last few days on the UK and US launching airstrikes in Yemen targeting the Houthis.
The strikes were in response to repeated Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.
But an analyst has warned periodic bombing by the West “cannot be sustained and won’t bring stability to a vital strategic waterway”.
RUSI associate fellow Baraa Shiban said the Houthis “want to position themselves as defenders of the Palestinian cause at the same time as a considerable number of Arab states are normalising their relations with Israel”.
He warned the Western bombings will likely not have the hoped effect.
“If the Houthis are not threatened with losing their control over the west coast of Yemen, they are unlikely to be deterred,” Mr Shiban said.
“Over the last nine years, the US and UK have only half-heartedly supported steps to weaken the Houthis militarily, while Iran has doubled down on its support for the group.
“The recent strikes do not showcase a sustainable Western policy towards Yemen, but instead represent a confused military action that is unlikely to produce results.”
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