The Middle East faces rising tensions as violence intensifies between Israel and Yemen’s Houthis, threatening regional stability and deepening Yemen’s humanitarian crisis. Recent Israeli airstrikes targeting Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, have drawn international condemnation, while the United States prepares for a presidential transition that is expected to bring significant policy shifts to the region.
Israeli Airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport
On December 26, 2024, Israeli fighter jets conducted a series of airstrikes on Yemen’s Sanaa International Airport, Red Sea ports, and power stations. These attacks, described by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) as targeting Houthi-controlled infrastructure used for smuggling Iranian weapons and facilitating the entry of Iranian officials, resulted in at least three fatalities and dozens of injuries, including a U.N. Humanitarian Air Service crew member.
The airstrikes occurred as a high-level United Nations delegation, led by World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, was present at the airport awaiting departure. While the delegation escaped unharmed, the incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of humanitarian missions in Yemen. An assessment of the airport’s damage is underway to determine whether the U.N. team can safely leave the country.
Israeli Justification and Strategic Objectives
Israel has intensified its military operations against the Iran-backed Houthis following a series of missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities and maritime assets. The IDF has framed its actions as necessary to disrupt Iran’s growing influence in the region and to neutralize threats posed by the Houthis. Israeli officials have warned that the Houthis’ increasing use of advanced weaponry poses a direct threat to its security and that such strikes are essential to safeguarding its national interests.
U.N. Condemnation and Humanitarian Concerns
The airstrikes have drawn sharp criticism from the United Nations. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attacks on civilian infrastructure, emphasizing that they exacerbate Yemen’s dire humanitarian crisis. The destruction of Sanaa’s airport, critical Red Sea ports, and power stations further isolates the country, disrupting the delivery of essential supplies such as food, medicine, and fuel to millions of Yemenis.
Humanitarian agencies have expressed alarm over the potential for an even greater crisis. Yemen’s ports handle 90% of its food imports, and any prolonged disruption could push millions closer to famine. The International Rescue Committee and other organizations have called for an immediate ceasefire to ensure safe humanitarian access and prevent further civilian suffering.
Yemen’s Broader Humanitarian Crisis
The situation in Yemen is one of the most severe humanitarian disasters in the world. Over 20 million Yemenis—two-thirds of the population—require humanitarian aid. Years of conflict have left the country’s healthcare system in ruins, with widespread food insecurity, outbreaks of cholera, and limited access to clean water compounding the crisis. The recent destruction of key infrastructure threatens to worsen these conditions, leaving millions at even greater risk.
Anticipated U.S. Policy Shifts Under Trump
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on January 20, 2025, his administration is signaling a hardline approach to Yemen and the broader Middle East. Incoming National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has announced plans to re-designate Yemen’s Houthis as a terrorist organization, a move that aligns with Trump’s broader strategy to counter Iranian influence.
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Waltz also highlighted the Trump administration’s focus on bolstering Israel’s security, including support for its military actions in Yemen and Syria. He underscored the need to prevent an ISIS resurgence in Syria, where the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continue to oversee detention camps housing tens of thousands of ISIS fighters and affiliates.
While Trump’s policy is expected to prioritize counter-terrorism and regional alliances, it raises questions about its impact on Yemen’s humanitarian crisis. Critics warn that labeling the Houthis as terrorists could further complicate aid delivery and escalate the conflict, making a negotiated solution more elusive.
Biden Administration’s Response and Regional Implications
With less than a month remaining in his presidency, Joe Biden faces mounting pressure to address the escalating violence in Yemen and Syria. The Biden administration has condemned the attacks but stopped short of taking decisive action, reflecting a cautious approach to the region’s complex dynamics.
As the Trump administration prepares to assume office, the Middle East stands at a crossroads. Israel’s aggressive stance against the Houthis, coupled with U.S. policy shifts, highlights the growing nexus between local conflicts and broader geopolitical rivalries. Meanwhile, the international community faces the urgent challenge of addressing Yemen’s worsening humanitarian crisis and preventing further destabilization of the region.
The Way Forward
The recent airstrikes and the anticipated U.S. policy shifts underline the fragile security landscape in the Middle East. For Yemen, the stakes are particularly high. The destruction of civilian infrastructure risks deepening the suffering of millions, while the escalating conflict threatens to spiral further out of control.
