$1 billion gone, 7 drones downed, 2 fighter jets lost — the costly Red Sea exit Trump isn't talking about

Time of India

a day ago

U.S. President Donald Trump praised Yemen's Houthi fighters for their ability to take heavy damage and still fight back. He called them brave while announcing a sudden ceasefire with them. This ceasefire was made possible by Oman, who helped both sides talk.
The agreement paused the recent fights between the U.S. military and the Houthis in the Red Sea. But it's unclear if this is a real peace or just a break in the war. The Houthis have been fighting for nearly 10 years and still control Yemen's northern areas, even after being attacked by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, who got support from the U.S.
In March, the U.S. started Operation Rough Rider to stop the Houthis from attacking ships and U.S. forces in the region. The operation cost the U.S. over $1 billion, but they lost 7 drones and 2 fighter jets, and didn't really achieve anything. Because of this failure, Trump decided to end the attacks. But it wasn't part of a smart new plan, it looked more like giving up.
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Undo
Trump said the Houthis 'deserved a chance', basically admitting they held their ground and the U.S. had no better option. This ceasefire is not a full peace deal. It doesn't include Israel, which upset Israeli leaders. The Houthis are still attacking Israel with drones and missiles to show support for Palestine.
Just before the ceasefire, Houthis fired rockets near Israel's main airport. Israel hit back by bombing Yemen's airport. But the Houthis kept attacking. Israel feels upset because the U.S. made the deal without telling them.
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The message to allies seems clear: if U.S. interests don't match, the U.S. might leave its allies behind. The Houthis warned Arab countries not to trust the U.S., saying America abandoned the Shah of Iran, and could abandon Israel too.
This warning matters a lot to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, who spent a lot of time and money trying to fight the Houthis. The UAE didn't fully support the U.S. attacks and now is trying to figure out its next steps. Qatar isn't sure about the ceasefire and how long it will last.
Iran, a long-time backer of the Houthis, may have told them to agree to it. Some reports say Iran told the Houthis to negotiate instead of escalating. This could be because Iran is also dealing with nuclear talks and other issues.
It's unclear if Iran made a bigger deal with the U.S., or was just watching from the sidelines. Either way, Iran benefits from the Houthis putting pressure on Israel and the West. The ceasefire shows exhaustion, not peace. Trump realized that fighting in Yemen gave the U.S. nothing in return.
Instead of defeating the Houthis, the U.S. attacks may have made them look stronger. The Houthis feel like they beat the world's strongest military, and that has boosted their image globally. But the peace is not permanent, the Houthis said they can attack again anytime.
They have already increased attacks on Israel, showing that this deal doesn't stop their war with Israel. In short, nothing is really settled. The Middle East is still unstable. Trump's move may lower U.S. military risks for now, but it has weakened trust between America and its allies.
Arab countries are now looking at China as another option for help, since they feel the U.S. might not always stand by them. Israel feels isolated, and its image as a strong power is now being tested. The Houthis come out looking like heroes in their eyes and those of their supporters.
Trump is trying to sell this as a win, but really, it looks like a retreat, not peace, just a break. Like many of Trump's decisions, this deal is about looking strong, not about long-term solutions. Whether or not the ceasefire lasts doesn't matter as much, what matters is that it has changed how countries see the U.S.
FAQs
Q1. Why did the U.S. agree to a ceasefire with the Houthis?
Because the U.S. attacks cost a lot and didn't stop the Houthis.
Q2. Why is Israel unhappy with the ceasefire?
Because the U.S. didn't inform Israel and the Houthis are still attacking them.