Strikes in Yemen are unwarranted

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 31, 2025
Contact: press@defensepriorities.org

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, the U.S. launched additional strikes targeting the Houthis in Yemen. Defense Priorities Policy Director Benjamin H. Friedman issued the following statement in response:

“The continued scandal over the Signal chat exposing plans to bomb the Houthis has become an odd distraction from the continued bombing of the Houthis.

“The U.S. war on the Houthis itself should be the real scandal, not just because it is unauthorized but because it is unwise. In fact, these two flaws are intimately related. The constitutional requirement for Congress to declare wars is not mere formalism but an attempt to make sure wars serve national interests. The bombing of the Houthis does not.

“Strikes in Yemen are unnecessary, since the damage the Houthis cause to trade is limited and mainly impacts foreign consumers, not Americans. In addition, the problem the Houthis are causing could be addressed through diplomacy, by pressing Israel to let in more aid to Gaza and return to the ceasefire there.

“The war is also unlikely to work. It’s quite hard to use airstrikes alone to deprive the Houthis of the ability to fire drones and inaccurate missiles, and the Houthis can resupply from Iran. Moreover, the Houthis seem willing, eager even, to suffer heavier bombing to reap the political rewards that attacking shipping gets them. Continued U.S. bombing consumes munitions stocks better saved for other adversaries, is unlikely to succeed, and may invite escalation when it fails.”

Author

Benjamin
Friedman

Policy Director