US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on Sunday (March 16) that the US will continue to strike against Houthi militants in Yemen until they cease attacking shipping. At the same time, the Houthis have hinted at the possibility of escalating their actions in response to the deadly airstrikes launched by the United States the day before. This conflict not only exacerbates tensions in the Red Sea region, but may also have far-reaching impacts on global shipping security and regional stability.

US Military Operations and Objectives

US Defense Secretary Hergeseth made it clear on Fox News that the US will continue to attack the Houthis until they stop attacking shipping. He emphasized that restoring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea is a "core national interest" of the United States and accused Iran of long-term condoning the Houthi armed forces. US officials have revealed that this military operation may last for several weeks, with the goal of completely preventing the Houthi militants from threatening shipping.

The response and threat of Houthi armed forces

Houthi leader Abdul Malik al Houthi stated in a televised speech that as long as the United States continues to attack Yemen, its armed personnel will continue to attack American ships in the Red Sea. The spokesperson of the Houthi armed forces also claimed that in retaliation for the US attack, the organization attacked the USS Truman aircraft carrier and its warships with ballistic missiles and drones, but did not provide evidence. US officials stated that the US military shot down 11 Houthi armed drones and tracked a missile that fell off the coast of Yemen.

The reactions and concerns of the international community

UN Secretary General Guterres called for "maximum restraint and cessation of all military activities" in Yemen, warning that new escalation could exacerbate the cycle of retaliation, destabilize the region, and worsen the humanitarian situation. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov also urged the United States to "immediately cease the use of force" and emphasized that all parties should engage in political dialogue. The health department controlled by the Houthis claimed that the US airstrikes caused at least 53 deaths, including women and children, but the Pentagon did not immediately respond to this claim.

summarize

The conflict between the United States and the Houthis is escalating, with both sides showing a tough stance. The US military operation aims to restore freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, while the Houthis have threatened retaliatory measures. The international community is concerned about the escalation of the conflict, calling for a halt to military actions and seeking a political solution. In the future, the direction of this conflict may not only affect the stability of Yemen and the Red Sea region, but also have profound implications for global shipping safety and humanitarian situations.

The escalation of the conflict between the United States and the Houthis may also have a significant impact on gold and oil prices.

Gold price: Rising geopolitical risks typically increase safe haven demand, driving up gold prices. If the conflict persists or expands, market risk aversion may further heat up, supporting gold prices.

Oil prices: The Red Sea is an important global shipping channel, and the escalation of conflicts may threaten shipping safety, leading to an increased risk of oil supply disruptions and pushing up oil prices. In addition, market concerns about the situation in the Middle East may also exacerbate oil price fluctuations.