Mideast Briefing

Houthis Boost Military Power for Red Sea Battle With US

Houthi fighters and followers demonstrate in support of Palestinians, and the Houthi strikes in the Red Sea, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Feb. 4.

Photographer: Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images

It has been almost seven weeks since the US and UK began conducting airstrikes against Houthi militants in Yemen to stem their months-long attacks on ships in the Red Sea, a vital waterway for global commerce. But the Iran-backed militants, who control a sizeable area of north-west Yemen, are far from deterred.