The United States executed its fifth strike against Houthi rebel targets in Yemen, even as President Joe Biden openly admitted that the airstrikes have not effectively halted the rebels' attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.
Late on Thursday, U.S. warplanes targeted anti-ship missiles that were positioned to launch into the southern Red Sea, as reported by U.S. Central Command. However, President Biden, during an exchange with reporters in Washington D.C., candidly remarked on the airstrikes' effectiveness, stating, "When you say working, are they stopping the Houthis? No. Are they going to continue? Yes."
Following Biden's comments, a chemical tanker flagged from the Marshall Islands reported a "suspicious approach" by drones southeast of Aden, according to maritime security firm Ambrey.
Biden's statements coincided with a call from the Houthi leader, Abdulmalik al-Houthi, urging the Arab world to boycott Israeli goods. Al-Houthi asserted that U.S. and UK missile attacks signaled the impact of the Houthi movement's assaults on Israeli-linked commercial shipping.
In his address, Al-Houthi dismissed the impact of recent missile strikes, claiming they only enhanced his army and navy's technology. He criticized Biden's actions and accused him of attacking those supporting Palestinians while facing challenges himself.
The Houthi leader emphasized that the attacks on ships linked to Israel would cease only when the blockade on Gaza was lifted, maintaining that Palestinians had a right to aid without obstacles.
Al-Houthi's speech, laden with religious rhetoric, warned of a broader battle between Zionists and the Muslim world. He called for Yemenis to show mass support for their countrymen killed by U.S. forces.
The ongoing conflict between the Houthis and the U.S. has disrupted global supply chains and became a focal point at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Houthi leaders have linked their attacks on Red Sea shipping to what they term "Israeli aggression" in Gaza.
As the situation unfolds, the international community remains engaged, with the UK Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, meeting with Yemen's UN-recognized government to discuss the conflict's next steps and the fate of UN-led peace talks. The geopolitical implications of the Houthi movement are evident, with global leaders addressing the impact on regional stability and supply chains.