Yemen's Houthi rebels launched anti-ship ballistic missile attacks on US merchant ships and **, which drew international attention. There is a big disagreement between the Houthis and the United States on the matter, with both sides defending their interests and reputations while the truth is elusive. Behind this conflict, there are different goals and strategies of the Houthis and the United States, and it also reflects the complex situation and sensitive balance in the Middle East.
According to the Global Times, Houthi spokeswoman Yahya Sarea claimed on January 25 that they had engaged in fierce exchanges of fire with several U.S. destroyers in the Gulf of Aden and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, successfully hitting a U.S. ship and forcing two U.S. merchant ships to change course and leave the Red Sea. This statement by the Houthis is undoubtedly demonstrating their military strength and political will to the world, and it is also exerting pressure on countries that support Israel, showing that they are not afraid of US deterrence and will not abandon their plan to blockade the Red Sea.
However, the U.S. response to the incident has been very low-key. The US command issued a statement acknowledging that the Houthis had fired three anti-ship ballistic missiles at the US merchant ship "Maersk Detroit", but denied that any US ship had been hit, saying that the US destroyer USS Graveley had successfully intercepted and destroyed two missiles, and the other missile had fallen into the sea. The U.S. also said it had no reports of damage to any personnel** or vessels. This response by the United States is obviously an attempt to downplay the impact of this incident and avoid triggering greater tension and conflict in the Middle East, and it is also trying to justify its military prestige and international image.
The confrontation between the Houthis and the United States is actually a microcosm of the game between multiple forces in the Middle East. As an ally of Iran, the Houthis have been fighting against the ** army backed by Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Yemeni civil war, while also fighting against the anti-Iranian camp led by Israel. The Houthis have repeatedly fired missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia and Israel in an attempt to strike at their economic and security interests, as well as by blocking the Red Sea and cutting off their sea communications and supplies**. These actions by the Houthis are not only for their own survival and development, but also to cooperate with Iran's regional strategy and balance the influence of the United States and Israel.
The United States, as the main external interventionist in the Middle East, has been supporting countries such as Israel and Saudi Arabia against countries such as Iran and the Houthis. The United States has not only provided Israel with many difficult problems at the United Nations, but has also provided military and diplomatic assistance to Israel to help Israel deal with the conflicts in Palestine and Gaza. The U.S. is also providing intelligence to Saudi Arabia and other countries to help them fight the Houthis and Iran's forces. These actions of the United States are not only to safeguard its own allies and interests, but also to maintain stability and order in the Middle East and prevent the expansion and provocation of Iran and the Houthis.
However, the role of the United States in the Middle East is not easy, and the United States has to face not only the military threat of Iran and the Houthis, but also the pressure of the international community. In the process of supporting Israel, the United States has also been criticized and boycotted by many countries and peoples, because Israel's violence and aggression against the Palestinian people have violated human rights and international law, and have become a "public enemy of the world." In the process of supporting Saudi Arabia and other countries, the United States has also been questioned and opposed by many countries and peoples, because the war and blockade of the Yemeni people by Saudi Arabia and other countries have caused humanity and disasters, and have become "sinners of the world". The actions of the United States in the Middle East have not only damaged its international reputation and image, but also consumed its military and economic resources, affecting and challenging its strategy and interests in other regions.
Therefore, the US strategy in the Middle East is to protect its allies and interests as much as possible within its capabilities, and at the same time try to avoid direct military conflicts with countries such as Iran and the Houthis, so as not to set itself on fire and fall into a quagmire. The low-key U.S. response to the Houthi missile attack is a reflection of this strategy. The United States is unwilling to admit that it was hit and is unwilling to retaliate against the Houthis because it does not want this incident to escalate into a full-scale war, nor does it want to lose more support and trust in the international community.
Although the conflict between the Houthis and the United States has not caused substantial losses and damage, it has exposed the deep-seated contradictions and crises in the Middle East. The aims and tactics of the Houthis and the United States also reflect the complex situation and sensitive balance in the Middle East. Against this background, peace and stability in the Middle East region require the rationality and restraint of all forces, as well as the attention and participation of the international community. Otherwise, the powder keg in the Middle East may bring disaster to the world at any time.