Trump's Policy and the Course of the Conflict in Yemen: What Will Change? A Research Center Answers

A research center asserted that the policies of the US President Donald Trump's administration toward the Houthis, particularly after re-designating them as a terrorist organization and imposing new sanctions on their leaders, could significantly impact the course of the conflict in Yemen, but they also carry increasing humanitarian risks.

This came in a situation assessment issued by the Mokha Center for Strategic Studies, noting that the Trump administration's decision, which took effect on March 5, 2025, is part of a US strategy aimed at economically and politically strangling the Houthis by cutting off their sources of funding, particularly banking and commercial activities.

According to the center, the sanctions included seven Houthi leaders accused of arms smuggling and cooperation with Russia, in a clear escalation of the US position. The center emphasized that Trump's return to the White House represents a radical shift in Washington's policy toward Yemen, and expected the US administration to adopt a more stringent approach, in coordination with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, to confront the Houthi threat.

The center expected that these measures would weaken the Houthis' financial and military influence, particularly through tightening restrictions on financial transactions and commercial shipping in the port of Hodeidah, which could limit their ability to continue military operations. It also noted that Washington seeks, through these sanctions, to halt Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, which have become a direct threat to international navigation.

In the same context, the report indicated that the US administration has begun coordinating hardline policies with its allies, including Saudi Arabia and Israel, and is also exerting pressure on countries such as Oman and Iraq to reduce their support or facilitation of the group.

The report suggested that these policies would likely contribute to easing pressure on Saudi Arabia and granting it broader options in dealing with the Yemeni issue, potentially leading to the resumption of military operations against the Houthis. These sanctions could also strengthen the legitimate government's position in any future political negotiations.

However, the center warned of serious humanitarian repercussions, which could lead to rising prices and a decline in humanitarian aid, exacerbating the suffering of millions of Yemenis.

The Center concluded its report by emphasizing that the success of these sanctions in undermining the Houthis' capabilities depends on avoiding serious humanitarian repercussions. It called on the legitimate government to develop clear strategies to address these shifts, ensure the continuation of humanitarian aid, and leverage international support to strengthen its political and military position.