Yemen’s 2024 unfolded as a pivotal year for regional power dynamics, with the Houthi armed group cementing its role as both a disruptive force and a significant player on the global stage. This development was heavily influenced by actions that began in late 2023. Leveraging their control of northern Yemen, the Houthis weaponized the Red Sea’s strategic shipping lanes, targeting vessels passing the Bab al-Mandab Strait since November 2023. As an expression of solidarity with Palestine in Israel’s war on Gaza, the Houthis’ actions were meant to pressure Israel and its allies to end the war, declaring all ships headed for Israeli ports fair game.

The response from Washington was swift, setting the stage for ongoing tensions in 2024. In December 2023, President Joe Biden rallied a coalition, named Operation Prosperity Guardian — composed of forces from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, the Netherlands and other nations — launching military attacks on Houthi military infrastructure inside Yemen, to degrade the group’s capabilities. Yet, instead of retreating, the Houthis doubled down, launching drone strikes on Israeli cities multiple times, signaling their operational capabilities

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