Houthis Likely To Remain A Persistent Threat To U.S., Says Top Military Officer

The Houthi rebel group in Yemen, backed by Iran, is expected to remain a long-term challenge for the United States, a senior American military official said on Tuesday.

Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich of the U.S. Air Force, who currently serves as the Director for Operations of the Joint Staff, stated that the Houthis are likely to remain a “persistent problem” and the United States will probably face issues with them again in the future.

Grynkewich has been nominated to take command of U.S. military forces in Europe. His statement follows the end of a U.S. military campaign in Yemen called “Operation Rough Rider.”

The campaign lasted two months and was ordered in response to repeated Houthi attacks on U.S. Navy warships and international commercial vessels near Yemen’s Red Sea coast, starting in November 2023.

During that campaign, the U.S. military said it struck over 1,000 Houthi targets. The strikes killed hundreds of fighters and several top Houthi leaders. However, the operation also raised international concerns. Several human rights organisations criticised the U.S. campaign over the risk of civilian casualties.

The Houthis had earlier claimed that their attacks were in support of Palestinians, citing the ongoing conflict in Gaza where Israel has been carrying out military operations. Under a truce agreement made in May 2025, the Houthis agreed to stop targeting U.S. vessels, though they have continued launching attacks directly against Israel.

Despite the pause in hostilities between the Houthis and U.S. forces, tensions remain high. Just last week, the Houthis warned that they would start targeting American ships again if the U.S. became involved in Israeli military actions against Iran.

Additionally, President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran on Monday. Although the truce faced early challenges, including missile fire from Iran and counter-threats from Israel, it appeared to be holding as of Tuesday evening.

Despite this, U.S. defense officials remain cautious. Recent comments from Grynkewich indicate that American leaders still see the Houthis as an ongoing threat in the region. The group maintains control over a significant part of northern Yemen and is known for its hostile rhetoric, including slogans like “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.”

References: Reuters, timesofisrael

Source: Maritime Shipping News