Targeting the Houthis? USA now gathering air forces for major attack

Washington is apparently gathering forces in the Indian Ocean for a major air strike. This fits in with statements that the US campaign against the Houthis in Yemen will continue for weeks. What does the USA want there?

The American armed forces are gathering aircraft in the Indian Ocean: As the "UK Defense Journal" (UKDJ) reports, the USA is concentrating bombers and other equipment at its Diego Garcia base.

At least five B-2 stealth bombers and seven C-17A Globemaster transport aircraft have been deployed to the small atoll, the report continues. The transports are believed to have been carrying ammunition and personnel for a larger attack.

In addition, at least 18 KC-135 tanker aircraft have been distributed to bases such as Guam, which could support a larger air campaign. "The presence of multiple B-2s, tankers and C-17 transport aircraft suggests that the US is positioning itself for a sustained military operation," writes UKDJ.

What does the US want?

This fits in with statements by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that the escalation with the Houthis in Yemen is likely to continue for weeks. The new attacks began on March 15: The preparation for the attack caused a scandal because a journalist was inadvertently involved in the planning via signal chat.

Since then, the Pentagon has not been idle: At least three more airstrikes on targets in Yemen have become public.

What does the USA want to achieve with this? Washington wants to officially enforce freedom of navigation. This is threatened by the Yemeni Houthis because the rebels are attacking merchant ships in the region - ostensibly out of solidarity with the Palestinians.

Since the end of the Second World War, the USA has enforced free shipping worldwide, which is also in the national interest economically. Today, however, the White House no longer wants to carry this burden alone - and sharply criticizes Europe for contributing too little.

USA partly responsible for the situation

This is also shown by the signal scandal: "I think we are making a mistake," complains Vice President JD Vance. "3 percent of American trade passes through the Suez Canal, 40 percent passes through the Europeans." In other words: Europe should ensure peace and quiet here itself - or pay.

Two US politicians take center stageNot-so-secret chat shows deep contempt for Europe

But are the figures correct? "Fortune" is not sure what data Vance is referring to. Although 40 percent of European trade passes through the Red Sea, this is only business with Asia.

It is also not entirely fair that the USA is partly responsible for the delicate situation in the Middle East, says consultant Marko Papic: "It's like the act of a small-time crook: first burn down the grocery store, then hunt down the perpetrator and finally send the store owner the bill."

What Vance doesn't consider

Vance also thinks too short-sightedly: if shipping in the Red Sea came to a standstill, Europe would certainly be hit harder. But the economy is interconnected: If ships have to take the long route around the Horn of Africa, prices for shipping transportation will rise worldwide.

This also applies to energy prices: The USA is certainly hardly dependent on oil and gas from the Middle East, but a crisis in the Red Sea increases energy prices worldwide, which drives up production costs and also affects the US market.

What happens now? The collection of troops on Diego Garcia makes you wonder. B-2 bombers normally attack strategic targets in heavily guarded airspace. They may also serve as a deterrent to Iran, which supports the Houthis.

Donad Trump has warned Tehran to stop sending weapons to Yemen. The 78-year-old threatened the Houthis themselves that they would be "totally wiped out". Europe is shocked after the signals scandal made the US administration's critical stance public. And at the same time, the Pentagon is apparently preparing a major attack in the Indian Ocean.

That could be fun.