Tihama and the Red Sea: Between Houthi Escalation and U.S. Strikes
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Why Supporting the Tihama Resistance is the Optimal Strategic Solution
by abdulmajeed zubah*
The Red Sea is experiencing one of the most dangerous periods in its modern history, as Houthi attacks on commercial and military ships have increased, making this vital sea passage the center of confrontation between regional and international powers. The United States, which had adopted a hesitant stance towards the Houthis during the Biden administration, has now taken a more resolute position under Trump, who seeks to restore U.S. dominance over maritime routes and ensure the continued flow of international trade without threats. But despite the recent airstrikes by Washington, the fundamental question remains: can these airstrikes alone end the Houthi threat, or is there a more effective strategy that needs to be adopted?
Tihama, stretching from Midi in the north to Bab al-Mandab in the south, is the most strategic region in Yemen, as it controls one of the most important maritime routes in the world. Approximately 12% of global trade passes through the Red Sea, and its volume is expected to reach $6.1 trillion by 2050. The region includes key ports such as Hudaydah, Salif, Ras Isa, and Midi, which are vital arteries for maritime shipping. Therefore, control of Tihama means control over the security of international shipping, something the Houthis realized early on, as they took control of this region and turned it into a platform to threaten international shipping and a hub for smuggling Iranian weapons.
The recent U.S. airstrikes, which targeted Houthi sites in Hudaydah and Sana’a, were a direct response to the Houthis’ targeting of an American ship, in addition to a series of attacks on ships linked to Israel. However, despite the destructive power of these strikes, they were not enough to halt the escalation. On the contrary, the Houthis have declared their readiness for a new phase of targeting, which highlights the limited effectiveness of airstrikes in permanently addressing the Houthi threat.
The new U.S. strategy is driven by several key factors. First, there is a clear desire from Trump to distance himself from Biden’s approach to the Iranian threat, to send the message that Washington will not tolerate any power threatening global trade. Second, the Trump administration understands that the essence of U.S. dominance is tied to control over maritime trade, and that allowing the Houthis to rampage in the Red Sea represents a direct threat to the global economic model dominated by the United States since World War II. Third, Washington wants to undermine Iran’s influence in the region by targeting its last and strongest arm in Yemen, especially after Iran’s influence in Lebanon and Syria has diminished.
But despite these factors, airstrikes alone cannot change the ground situation, as the Houthis have proven their ability to quickly rearm, benefiting from smuggling networks passing through Tihama’s ports. This makes any strategy that relies solely on aerial bombardment doomed to fail in the long term, as the Red Sea cannot be sustainably secured without weakening the Houthis on the ground and cutting off their support lines. This is where the crucial role of the Tihama resistance comes in, as it represents the most sustainable and effective solution to end the Houthi threat and secure the Red Sea.
The Tihama resistance is not a new force that needs to be built; it is an existing force with popular legitimacy, combat experience, and geographical knowledge. However, it needs training, support, and logistical backing to regain control of its areas and secure maritime shipping. This resistance has been at the forefront of the confrontation with the Houthis and nearly liberated the port of Hudaydah in 2018, were it not for international intervention through the Stockholm Agreement, which allowed the Houthis to regroup and remain in their strategic positions.
Therefore, supporting the Tihama resistance should be one of the strategic priorities of the international community, as it is the only force capable of maintaining lasting stability in the Red Sea without the need for continuous foreign military interventions. To achieve this, support should be based on four main pillars:
- International recognition of the Tihama resistance as a legitimate force, providing political and diplomatic cover that ensures its operations against the Houthis are not obstructed or restricted.
2. Providing integrated military and logistical support, including advanced training, appropriate weapons for urban and coastal warfare, and intelligence support to enable the resistance to carry out targeted, precise operations against Houthi power centers.
3. Providing economic and developmental support to Tihama, to prevent the Houthis from exploiting poverty through recruitment and mobilization. Rebuilding the region and improving basic services will strengthen the position of the Tihama resistance among the population and prevent the Houthis from using marginalization as a tool of control.
4. Involving the Tihama resistance in international alliances to protect the Red Sea, where it can be a key partner in securing maritime routes, giving it international legitimacy and making it an integral part of the regional security strategy.
From a geopolitical perspective, supporting the Tihama resistance not only serves the interests of Yemen but also reshapes the balance of power in the region in a way that limits Iranian influence. The Houthis represent the last line of defense for Iran, and if they lose control of Tihama, it will weaken their ability to carry out major military operations, making them more vulnerable to political and military pressure.
For the United States, supporting the Tihama resistance can be a smart tool for managing the conflict without slipping into direct military confrontation with Iran. Instead of relying solely on airstrikes that yield only temporary results, Washington can focus on supporting the local force capable of ensuring security from within, which will gradually weaken the Houthis and reduce the costs of U.S. military interventions in the region.
Experience has proven that short-term solutions, such as airstrikes, only prolong the conflict, and any sustainable strategy must rely on local forces that have legitimacy, knowledge, and the ability to enforce security from within. The Tihama resistance is not just a military option; it is a fundamental pillar for any future solution that can achieve security and stability in the Red Sea.
Washington faces a crucial choice: either invest in supporting the Tihama resistance as a local force capable of ending the Houthi threat or continue with ineffective airstrikes that drain resources without achieving the desired security. Resolution does not come from the sky but from the ground, and who knows the land better than its own people?
- Abdulmajeed zubah is a Yemeni political journalist and writer specializing in the Tihama issue. As a human rights advocate, he focuses on the exclusion and marginalization of the Tihama people, highlighting the political and humanitarian challenges in Yemen.