Why the Houthis Still Hold the Upper Hand Despite U.S. Strikes

A recent report published by The Times highlights that Yemen’s Ansar Allah movement (the Houthis) continues to hold the strategic upper hand despite months of intensified U.S. airstrikes and coordinated Western efforts to crush their capabilities in the Red Sea and beyond.

Journalist Mark Urban detailed how the Houthis remain resilient, launching ballistic and cruise missile strikes on Israeli targets and maintaining pressure on maritime routes—even after over a year of American-led military escalation.

$7 Billion and Counting—America’s Costly War on a Nimble Adversary

The report begins by describing the loss of a U.S. Navy F/A-18 fighter jet, valued at $67 million, which plunged into the Red Sea during carrier operations aboard the USS Harry S. Truman. It was one of many expensive mishaps in a war effort that has already cost Washington over $7 billion in just 15 months.

Despite a campaign that escalated from 202 airstrikes under Biden to over 800 strikes in just two months under Trump, the Houthis remain not only intact—but defiant.

A Divided American Strategy, an Unshaken Yemeni Response

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently warned Iran:

“We see your deadly support for the Houthis—you will face consequences at the time and place of our choosing.”

Meanwhile, Washington still seeks to revive nuclear talks with Tehran—highlighting the internal contradiction in American policy.

According to Dr. Elisabeth Kendall, a Yemen expert at Cambridge University, there’s “genuine division” within the U.S. government. Hardliners are pushing for more aggressive postures, particularly against Iran—further complicating any coherent endgame for the U.S. campaign.

And yet, the Houthis continue to strike back. Their latest actions include launching ballistic missiles at Israel and targeting dozens of commercial vessels in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

The U.K. Joins In—But the Risk Is Rising

Last week, British Typhoon fighter jets joined Operation “Rough Rider” after months of paused activity, suggesting an expansion of allied involvement.

The HMS Prince of Wales, currently operating in the Mediterranean, may soon join the offensive, according to U.S. Defense Department sources.

While the British entry is more about political alignment and showcasing combat readiness, the Houthis’ unconventional warfare tactics pose serious risks. They’ve already shot down 19 U.S. Reaper drones, each worth $30 million.

Red Sea Attacks: A Direct Response to Gaza

The Houthis have been clear:

Their maritime attacks are direct retaliation for the Zionist genocide in Gaza.

Over 100 commercial vessels have been targeted. Insurance companies are pulling back. Red Sea traffic has dropped by more than 50%, severely impacting ports in Eritrea, Sudan, Jordan, and even Egypt’s Suez Canal revenues.

Israel Can’t Afford the Houthi Drain

The Houthi missile threat to Israel isn’t just tactical—it’s financially devastating. The cost of intercepting Houthi missiles is astronomical:

• • Israeli Arrow (Hetz) missile: $4 million per shot

• • U.S. THAAD system: $8.4 million

• • Ship-launched SM-3 interceptor: $27 million

Meanwhile, Houthi drones cost a few thousand dollars to manufacture locally. The cost imbalance alone gives the Houthis strategic leverage.

Self-Sufficiency, Iranian Support, and a Durable Resistance

The report quotes Fabian Hinz from the IISS:

“Iran’s support has shifted from shipping complete systems to helping build local manufacturing. This enables the Houthis to sustain long-term conflict.”

This makes it almost impossible for the U.S. to choke off supply lines—especially when Trump’s administration is simultaneously trying to re-engage Iran diplomatically.

The Houthis are not burdened by conventional vulnerabilities. They operate with flexibility, Iranian backing, and an ability to rally popular legitimacy by resisting both Zionist aggression and Western imperialism.

Official U.S. Metrics: “We’re Winning” — But Are They?

The Pentagon claims to have destroyed:

• • 69% of Houthi ballistic missile platforms

• • 55% of cruise missile launchers

However, attacks on maritime vessels have dropped not due to U.S. success, but largely because shipping volume in the Red Sea has plummeted.

To further squeeze the Houthis, the U.S. re-designated them as a terrorist group, blocked financial networks, and pressured Iran to halt arms transfers.

Yet the Houthis remain defiant—leveraging civilian casualties and blockades to reinforce their anti-American message and bolster support within Yemen.

Ground Invasion? Not Likely—And Not Easy

Some believe only a ground invasion can inflict major damage, as seen during Israel’s southern Lebanon incursion, which targeted Hezbollah.

But no Western power is willing to send troops into Yemen. Instead, all eyes are now on a UAE-backed Yemeni faction, reportedly preparing for an offensive.

Yet Yemen’s history of fractured alliances, foreign interference, and inconclusive wars suggests these proxies will struggle to achieve anything meaningful.

A Final Word: The Houthis Endure

Peace remains a distant illusion. Genuine reconciliation among Yemen’s factions is a fantasy. The Houthis continue to rule through resilience and resistance—surviving U.S., Saudi, and Israeli attempts to break them.

For Washington and its allies, neutralising the Houthi threat remains a strategic puzzle—one that might remain unsolved for years to come.

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