Description

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context

There is escalating conflict between U.S. & Yemen Houthi rebels following U.S. airstrikes that killed 31 people.

Key Highlights

United States has launched a series of large-scale airstrikes on Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen.

These strikes follow Houthi threats to resume attacks on Israel-linked ships in Red Sea.

Major targets included:

Saada: attack on a power station in Dahyan causing a citywide blackout, Ibb, Sanaa (Capital), Other impacted provinces: Al-Bayda, Marib, Dhamar, Hajjah & Taiz.

US Justification for Strikes

US military claims attacks are defensive aimed at stopping Houthi aggression in Red Sea.

Houthis have launched: 174 attacks on US warships. 145 attacks on commercial vessels since November 2023.

The strikes were carried out partially by US jets from USS Harry S. Truman in Red Sea.

US officials have described this as beginning of a large scale military campaign in Yemen.

Who are Houthis?

Houthis (Ansar Allah) are a Shia armed group that emerged in northern Yemen in 1990s.

In 2014 they overthrew Yemen internationally recognized government,causing a major conflict.

They control Sanaa (Yemen capital) & much of northwest while Yemeni government controls southern & eastern areas (capital in Aden).

The Houthis are backed by Iran though analysts say they operate independently of Tehran.

Geopolitical Implications

Rising US-Iran Tensions:

Iran condemned US strikes calling them a gross violation of international law.

Iran denied direct involvement in Houthi military operations but warned of decisive responses.

Threat to Global Trade & Red Sea Security:

Red Sea is a crucial maritime trade route handling 12% of global trade.

Suez Canal & Bab al-Mandeb Strait are key chokepoints for: 8.8 million barrels of oil per day , 4.1 billion cubic feet of LNG per day

Western shipping companies may be forced to reroute around Africa leading to: Higher fuel costs. Longer shipping times. Disruptions in global supply chains.

Theoretical Framework

Theory/Concept	Explanation	Application to US-Houthi Conflict
Realism (International Relations)	States act in their national interest, prioritizing security & power.	The US views Houthis as a threat to global shipping & its naval dominance in Red Sea, leading to military intervention.
Neorealism (Structural Realism)	Global politics is shaped by power struggles & anarchy, requiring states to act in self-defense.	The US justifies preemptive strikes to maintain strategic balance & deter threats to its military assets.
Balance of Power Theory	States counter threats by either building their own power or forming alliances.	The US aligns with Saudi Arabia & Israel to counterbalance Iran-backed Houthis in region.
Offensive vs. Defensive Realism	Offensive Realism: States seek to maximize power. Defensive Realism: States act only when their security is threatened.	US actions can be seen as both: - Offensive: A show of force to prevent future Houthi threats. - Defensive: Protecting US warships & Red Sea trade routes from missile attacks.
Liberalism (International Relations)	Cooperation, diplomacy & international organizations help resolve conflicts.	Critics argue that US should pursue diplomacy rather than direct military action, seeking mediation through UN or regional actors.
Constructivism	International relations are shaped by ideas, identity & perceptions.	The Houthis see themselves as resistance fighters, while US labels them as terrorists threatening global trade.
Terrorism Studies (State vs. Non-State Actors)	Non-state actors use asymmetric warfare against states.	The Houthis lack conventional military strength, so they use drone & missile attacks against superior US & allied forces.
Proxy War Theory	Rival states fight indirectly through local actors.	The Yemen conflict is part of larger US-Iran proxy war, with Iran supporting Houthis & US backing Saudi Arabia & Israel.
Just War Theory	A war is just if it meets criteria such as self-defense, last resort & proportionality.	Debate exists over US strikes: - US justifies them as self-defense. - Critics argue they violate proportionality by targeting residential areas.
International Humanitarian Law (IHL)	Protects civilians & limits methods of warfare.	Possible violations: Civilian casualties, attacks on infrastructure & disproportionate force could be breaches of IHL.
UN Charter (Article 2(4))	Prohibits use of force unless in self-defense or authorized by UN Security Council.	The US claims self-defense, but lack of UN approval raises legal concerns.
Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC)	Governs conduct during war, emphasizing necessity & distinction between combatants & civilians.	US strikes should avoid civilian areas, but reports suggest collateral damage in Yemen.
Global Maritime Security	Ensuring free navigation & trade through international waters.	The US military presence in Red Sea aims to secure global trade routes from Houthi disruptions.
Economic Interdependence Theory	Economic ties reduce likelihood of conflict.	The Red Sea crisis disrupts global oil & gas supplies, affecting international economies.
Energy Security & Strategic Chokepoints	Control over oil supply routes is crucial for global stability.	The Bab al-Mandeb Strait & Suez Canal are vital for global energy trade, making US intervention strategic.
Geopolitics of Middle East	Conflicts in region are shaped by sectarianism, foreign interventions & strategic interests.	The US supports Saudi Arabia & Israel, while Iran backs Houthis, escalating tensions.
Escalation Theory	Conflicts can escalate due to miscalculation, retaliation & political pressure.	Risk of regional escalation if Iran directly supports Houthi retaliation against US targets.
Hybrid Warfare	Combining conventional, cyber, economic & asymmetric tactics.	The Houthis use missiles, drones, cyberattacks & maritime disruptions to challenge superior US forces.

Yemen Conflict

Category	Details
Conflict Name	Yemen Civil War
Start Date	Began in 2014, escalated in 2015
Key Factions	1. Houthi Rebels (Ansar Allah) – Iran-backed, control north & west, including Sanaa. 2. Yemeni Government (Recognized by UN) – Supported by Saudi-led coalition & based in Aden. 3. Southern Transitional Council (STC) – UAE-backed, seeks southern Yemen's independence. 4. Al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) – Operates in eastern & central Yemen. 5. ISIS-Yemen – Lesser presence but active in terror attacks.
Main Causes	1. Political instability – After 2011 Arab Spring, President Ali Abdullah Saleh stepped down. 2. Houthi rebellion – Started in 2004, escalated in 2014 when they took Sanaa. 3. Sectarian tensions – Sunni-led government vs. Iran-backed Shia Houthis. 4. Regional power struggle – Saudi Arabia & UAE vs. Iran. 5. Economic crisis & resource competition – Yemen is one of poorest countries in Arab world.
Saudi-led Intervention	2015-Present – Saudi Arabia & UAE launched "Operation Decisive Storm" to restore Yemeni government.
Iran’s Role	Provides weapons, drones & financial aid to Houthis but denies direct control.
US Involvement	1. Supports Saudi-led coalition (arms sales, logistics & intelligence). 2. Airstrikes on Al-Qaeda & ISIS in Yemen. 3. Recent strikes on Houthis (2024-2025) in response to Red Sea attacks.
Humanitarian Crisis	World’s worst humanitarian crisis (UN). 23+ million need aid; 17 million face food insecurity. Hundreds of thousands killed, including civilians. Mass displacement – 4.5+ million people displaced. Cholera outbreaks, famine & lack of healthcare.
Strategic Importance	Red Sea trade route & Bab al-Mandeb Strait (12% of global trade). Oil & LNG shipping chokepoints vital for global energy security.
Economic Impact	Collapse of Yemen’s economy (GDP fell by 50%). High unemployment & inflation. Disruption of global oil supply & shipping due to Houthi attacks on vessels.
International Responses	1. UN-brokered ceasefires – Temporary agreements, often violated. 2. US & UK sanctions on Houthis & arms suppliers. 3. Peace talks in Oman, Sweden & Saudi Arabia. 4. Humanitarian aid by UN, WHO & NGOs.
Latest Developments (2025)	US airstrikes on Houthi-controlled regions. Houthi attacks on Red Sea trade routes. Gaza war linked to escalating Houthi hostility towards Israel. Regional actors (Saudi, UAE, Iran) reassessing involvement.
Future Prospects	1. Possible peace talks if global powers push for diplomacy. 2. Prolonged conflict if Iran & Saudi rivalry continues. 3. Potential division of Yemen (North under Houthis, South under STC & Yemeni Govt). 4. Continued humanitarian disaster if war persists.

US-Iran Conflict

Category	Details
Conflict Name	US-Iran Tensions
Nature of Conflict	Geopolitical, military, economic & ideological conflict
Historical Background	1. 1953 – US & UK orchestrated a coup against Iran’s PM Mohammad Mossadegh, reinstating Shah. 2. 1979 – Iranian Revolution overthrew Shah; US-backed monarchy collapsed. 3. 1979-1981 – US Embassy Hostage Crisis – 52 Americans held hostage for 444 days. 4. 1980-1988 – US supported Iraq in Iran-Iraq War. 5. 1988 – US shot down Iran Air Flight 655, killing 290 civilians. 6. 2002-2015 – US accused Iran of developing nuclear weapons, leading to global sanctions.
Main Causes	1. US opposition to Iran’s nuclear program (fears of nuclear proliferation). 2. Iran’s regional influence & proxy wars (support for Hezbollah, Houthis & militias in Iraq & Syria). 3. Economic sanctions & oil politics – US sanctions hurt Iran’s economy. 4. US presence in Middle East – Iran sees it as a security threat. 5. Attack on US allies – Iran backs anti-Israel & anti-Saudi forces.
Key US Actions Against Iran	1. 2002 – US President George W. Bush labeled Iran part of "Axis of Evil." 2. 2015 – Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA) under Obama lifted sanctions in exchange for nuclear restrictions. 3. 2018 – Trump withdrew from JCPOA, reinstating sanctions. 4. 2020 – US killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike. 5. 2023-2025 – US launched airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq, Syria & Yemen.
Key Iranian Actions Against US	1. Seizure of US embassy (1979). 2. Funding of Hezbollah (Lebanon) & Houthis (Yemen). 3. Missile attacks on US bases in Iraq (2020 retaliation for Soleimani’s killing). 4. Red Sea naval confrontations – Iran-backed Houthis attacking US-linked ships (2023-2025). 5. Cyberattacks on US infrastructure.
Iran’s Nuclear Program	Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been a major point of US-Iran tension. 2015 JCPOA deal aimed to curb Iran’s nuclear development. Post-2018 withdrawal, Iran resumed uranium enrichment, raising fears of nuclear weaponization.
Economic Impact	1. US sanctions crippled Iran’s oil exports & economy. 2. Iran retaliated by disrupting global oil supply (Strait of Hormuz incidents). 3. US allies like Europe & China affected due to disrupted trade.
Regional Impact	1. Increased instability in Middle East (Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen). 2. Tensions in Red Sea & Persian Gulf affecting global trade. 3. Rise of proxy wars (Iran-backed militias vs. US allies).
International Responses	1. EU & China favor diplomacy & nuclear deal restoration. 2. Israel strongly opposes Iran & supports US actions. 3. Russia & China growing closer to Iran against US policies.
Current Status (2025)	1. US-Iran tensions at a peak due to Yemen & Red Sea attacks. 2. Potential revival of JCPOA negotiations under global pressure. 3. Iran expanding regional influence despite US sanctions.
Future Prospects	1. Diplomatic resolution through nuclear deal renegotiation. 2. Continued regional proxy wars & cyber warfare. 3. Escalation into direct conflict if Red Sea tensions continue.