Yemen

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Who are the Houthis and why hasn’t the US retaliated for their attacks on ships in the Middle East? Iranian-backed Houthis have sharply escalated their attacks against ships as they sail toward the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait. U.S. Navy ships have shot down an array of drones headed their way and believed to have been launched by the militant group from Yemen. But so far, the U.S. has avoided military retaliation — a marked difference from its multiple strikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria. Read more.

Why this matters: The Houthis have sporadically targeted ships in the region over time, but the attacks have increased since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas and spiked after an explosion Oct. 17 at a hospital in Gaza killed and injured many. Houthi leaders have insisted Israel is their target.   No one has been reported hurt in the Houthi incidents, although the commercial ships suffered some damage. U.S. officials argue that the Houthis haven’t technically targeted U.S. vessels or forces — a subtlety that Navy ship captains watching the incoming drones may question.   While the U.S. has carried out airstrikes on Iranian-back militias in Iraq and Syria that have targeted American troops in 77 different attacks since Oct. 17, the military has not yet retaliated against the Houthis. The reluctance reflects political sensitivities and stems largely from broader Biden administration concerns about upending a shaky truce in Yemen and triggering a wider conflict in the region.

Related coverage ➤ 3 commercial ships hit by missiles in Houthi attack in Red Sea, US warship downs 3 drones US Navy warship shoots down a drone launched by Houthis from Yemen

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A missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels strikes Norwegian-flagged tanker in the Red Sea A missile suspected to have been fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels slammed into a Norwegian-flagged tanker in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen near a key maritime chokepoint, authorities said Tuesday. The assault on the oil and chemical tanker Strinda expands a campaign by the Iranian-backed rebels targeting ships close to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait into apparently now striking those that have no clear ties to Israel. Read more.

Why this matters: Global shipping has increasingly been targeted as the Israel-Hamas war threatens to become a wider regional conflict, even during a brief pause in fighting during which Hamas exchanged hostages for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel — mostly teenagers accused of throwing stones and firebombs. The collapse of the truce and the resumption of a punishing Israeli ground offensive and airstrikes on Gaza have raised the risk of more sea attacks.   Analysts suggest the Houthis hope to shore up waning popular support after years of civil war in Yemen between the rebels and Saudi-backed forces.   The attack potentially imperils cargo and energy shipments coming through the Suez Canal and further widens the international impact of the Israel-Hamas war now raging in the Gaza Strip.

Related coverage ➤ 3 commercial ships hit by missiles in Houthi attack in Red Sea, US warship downs 3 drones Palestinians hope a vote in the UN General Assembly will show wide support for a Gaza cease-fire Yemen’s Houthis have launched strikes at Israel during the war in Gaza. What threat do they pose?

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What to know about the latest tensions in Yemen Yemen is threatening to fracture even further, exposing a growing rift between Middle East powers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Read more.

Why this matters: Yemen’s civil war involves a complex interplay of sectarian grievances and the involvement of regional powers. The fighting has killed more than 150,000 and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters. The latest friction is among members of the Saudi-led coalition, based in Yemen’s south, that for years has been fighting Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, based in the north.   Saudi Arabia alleged Thursday that the UAE smuggled a separatist leader in Yemen wanted for treason out of the country to Abu Dhabi. The UAE had no immediate reaction to the claim, which further escalates tensions between the neighboring nations.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Saudi Arabia alleges UAE smuggled wanted Yemen separatist leader out of the country