Bloomberg: The United States is Considering Military Options to Counter the Houthis in Yemen

According to informed sources, the United States is consulting with its allies in the Gulf regarding potential military action against the Houthi rebels, who are supported by the Islamic Republic. Bloomberg reports that this consultation is in response to an increase in the Houthis' 'brazen attacks' on ships in the Red Sea. The sources, who wished to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter, indicated that negotiations are in the preliminary stages, and the U.S. and its allies still prefer diplomacy over direct confrontation. However, the discussions about dealing with the Houthis indicate that Washington takes their threat seriously. John Finer, Deputy National Security Advisor, stated on Thursday, December 7, that the Biden administration has not ruled out 'the possibility of military action' against the Houthis, but is currently focused on forming a maritime coalition to secure the Red Sea. The Red Sea is a transit route for about 12% of global trade, and a significant portion of Middle Eastern energy flows to Europe through this route. Finer also added that the Houthis would not be able to carry out these attacks without 'significant' military and intelligence support from Iran. According to the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, conveyed a similar message to Prince Khalid bin Salman, his counterpart in Saudi Arabia. Jake Sullivan, U.S. National Security Advisor, also stated that the U.S. is negotiating to form a maritime strike group involving many countries to escort ships in the Red Sea. These diplomatic actions follow a series of drone and missile attacks by the Houthis on commercial ships, which they claim are linked to Israel and consider 'legitimate targets.' These attacks began shortly after the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, which was a response to the terrorist attack by this Palestinian group on October 7. Israel's air and ground assaults on Gaza have resulted in increasing Palestinian casualties and significant criticism in the Arab world. The U.S. and the European Union consider Hamas, which is supported by the Islamic Republic, a terrorist group. The White House states that Iran uses the Houthis in Yemen to carry out missile and drone attacks. The U.S. is strengthening combined naval forces to counter the Houthis' actions in the region, seeking to provide more support for commercial ships in the Red Sea, has sanctioned a financial network supporting the Houthis, and has shot down Houthi drones over the Red Sea.