Washington- In what has been seen as a significant shift in U.S. strategy toward the Houthis, the administration of former President Donald Trump made the decision to target the group’s political leadership alongside its military assets. According to analysts Burcu Ozcelik and Brianna Shadwhr writing in Foreign Policy, the move signals a broader ambition to dismantle the organization rather than merely neutralize its immediate military threat.

Observers suggest that this shift reflects a clear American intent to break down the Houthis’ organizational structure, marking a departure from traditional military strategies that typically focus solely on degrading operational capabilities.

Analysts note that targeting top-tier leadership carries both political and security implications, aiming to disrupt the chain of command within the group—potentially weakening its ability to reorganize or negotiate from a position of strength.

However, critics warn that such an approach could lead to further escalation in the region and create power vacuums that more radical factions might exploit.

According to Ozcelik and Shadwhr, the decision represents a more comprehensive U.S. policy toward armed groups—one that seeks to impact both their political and organizational foundations, not just confront them on the battlefield.