The article discusses the recent downing of an Israeli F-16 fighter jet by a Houthi rebel missile, and the subsequent ejection and rescue of the two pilots. The Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the attack, which has put the Biden administration in a difficult position as it seeks to mediate an end to Yemen’s civil war and the Saudi-Houthi conflict.
The article notes that the Houthis have launched a campaign of “support for Gaza” since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which has included barrages of missiles and swarms of drones targeting Israel and strikes on civilian vessels in the Red Sea. The US has avoided direct, large-scale attacks on Houthi targets, instead focusing on limited strikes aimed at deterring Houthi activity in the Red Sea.
The article predicts that the recent developments may lead to a more intense US and allied response, particularly with the incoming Trump administration set to re-enter the White House. Israel has expressed frustration over what it perceives as insufficient US action against the militia, and some experts argue that the US should re-designate the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).
The article also notes that the Houthis have acquired advanced missile and drone technologies from Iran and Russia, and that their capabilities have alarmed the international community. The US-led coalition has destroyed 450 Houthi-launched drones, but the group’s technological capabilities continue to pose significant challenges, as demonstrated by the recent failure of Israel’s missile defense systems to intercept two ballistic missiles.
The article concludes by predicting that the incoming Trump administration may take a tougher stance on the Houthis, potentially leading to a more coordinated US-Israel effort to neutralize the Houthi threat.