US’s Illusion of Victory: A War of Deception in Yemen

Loqman Abdallah

The United States’s perception of the war in Yemen is strictly from the maritime security point of view, as Washington sees the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait as zones of strategic national interest. The US has recently reshuffled the classification of the Yemeni dossier, deeming it as a measure to safeguard allied interests - thus justifying the expanded military intervention - rather than a threat to “Israel”. Gulf allies, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have criticized the US for offering limited support during their 2015 war on Yemen—mainly logistical and intelligence aid—arguing that a show of force like the current US campaign would have led to victory over Sanaa. Yet in the case of “Israel,” Washington has directly intervened and mobilized its full aerial, naval, and intelligence capabilities, going as far as to pressure both Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to take part in this offensive under the pretext of securing all maritime routes.

American media coverage and official reports also describe Bab al-Mandab and the Suez Canal as pivotal interests. US. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly stated - in the infamous Signal chat - that the issue is not about the Houthis, but rather about restoring freedom of navigation, a core national interest, on the one hand, and consolidating the deterrence policy which Former President Biden undermined, on the second hand. A report by the US Naval Institute submitted to Congress highlighted Yemen’s strategic location along one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, noting that Houthi attacks on international shipping since October 2023 represent an effort to pressure “Israel” to end its war on Hamas.

Wahington’s active work to obstruct Ansarullah’s support for Palestine mainly aims at avoiding any embarrassment to Arab allies who might be dragged into a ground assault alongside American forces. At the same time, the US relentlessly reminds of the “Houthis’ subservience to Iran” narrative, which appears in nearly every statement or report.

More than five weeks into the current aggression, the campaign has failed to achieve its declared objectives. Commercial shipping through Bab al-Mandab and the Suez Canal remains disrupted, and U.S. deterrence is steadily eroding. Alessio Patalano, a naval expert at King’s College London, argued that if the goal were truly maritime security, the campaign would be ineffective. He also questioned how the US supports “the idea that the Indo-Pacific is the priority, and yet absolutely critical components of the Indo-Pacific fight are being pulled for operations in the Middle East.”

The failure of these strikes has left Washington in a strategic bind. With no clear exit strategy, the US has shifted its focus to enabling local allies in Yemen, therefore intensifying airstrikes on Ansarullah’s frontlines, in order to weaken their defenses, and pave the way for an offensive by their rivals. Meanwhile, US media outlets have begun mocking the administration’s handling of the war. Foreign Policy noted that the operation has not achieved any of its goals, highlighting “just how hard it is for US President Donald Trump to turn muscular rhetoric into real-world results.”

Meanwhile, the US relied heavily on misinformation, fabricating victories, justifying the killing of civilians, and using Gulf media—particularly Saudi and Emirati outlets—to push its narrative. These platforms echo “Israeli” propaganda, often blaming Hamas for the conflict escalation. For instance, Al-Hadath recently claimed that US stealth bombers (B-2) were not used in Yemen, dismissing such reports as Houthi propaganda, despite American officials admitting it. In letters to Congress, Trump confirmed ordering large-scale airstrikes in Yemen with the involvement of US Navy ships, bombers, fighter jets, and drones.

Despite this coordinated campaign, internal divisions in the US are growing. Several media outlets have begun challenging the credibility of the Yemen offensive, and accused the Trump administration of a severe lack of transparency. The Pentagon is avoiding press briefings on the matter, while CENTCOM merely posts flashy helicopter operation videos on social media under hashtags like “#HouthisAreTerrorists.” Ironically, this comes even as Washington’s allies accuse Ansarullah of media censorship, such as withholding strike coordinates or imagery—an expected response from a nation under bombardment.