Despite Ceasefire, U.S. Warns of Persistent Houthi Threat as Israel Threatens to Strike Sana’a
Despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement halting airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthi movement last month, a senior American military official has warned that the Iran-backed group remains a long-term threat to U.S. interests in the region.
Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, head of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and nominee to lead U.S. European Command, told Congress on Tuesday:
“The Houthis are likely to be a persistent problem... and we will have to confront them again in the future.”
Fragile Calm Following Covert Deal
The comments come weeks after President Donald Trump announced a suspension of airstrikes on Houthi targets following an undisclosed agreement that halted Houthi attacks on U.S. naval and commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The group had justified its attacks as support for Palestine amid Israel’s war on Gaza. However, tensions persist, with the Houthis recently threatening to resume maritime operations if Washington engages militarily against Iran.
While the U.S. carried out strikes over the weekend targeting three Iranian nuclear facilities, the Houthis have yet to respond militarily.
Israel: “Next Strike Will Be in Sana’a”
In a significant development, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz was quoted by local media as instructing the military to prepare for strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, warning that the response would be “like what happened in Tehran, but this time in Sana’a.”
This comes just a day after President Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, following weeks of heightened military escalation that raised fears of a regional war.
Nevertheless, the Houthi leadership declared that they do not recognize the ceasefire and will continue attacks against Israel, potentially triggering a new round of U.S. or Israeli retaliation.
Red Sea Attacks Fuel Escalation
In recent months, the Houthis have expanded their operations in the Red Sea, targeting vessels they claim are linked to Israel. These incidents prompted precision U.S. airstrikes on Houthi-controlled positions in Sana’a and surrounding areas.
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