In response to the increased attacks on vessels in the Red Sea by the Houthi militant group in Yemen, the United States and United Kingdom have launched multiple military strikes in the past week. Additionally, the US has re-designated the group as a global terrorist organization, aiming to pressure the Iran-aligned Houthis to retreat. However, experts believe that these measures are unlikely to succeed unless there is a halt to the Israeli war in Gaza and a significant shift in Western support for Israel's approach.

There are three main reasons why the Houthis are unlikely to be deterred by these actions, and they are primarily focused on the domestic situation in Yemen. Firstly, the Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, has already endured years of airstrikes during its war with the Saudi-led and Western-backed coalition from 2015 to 2022. Having fought six previous wars against the central Yemeni government from 2004 to 2010, the Houthis are well-versed in guerrilla warfare and do not rely on sophisticated weapons to harass ships in the region. Moreover, the blockade during the recent war further enabled them to enhance their weapon smuggling networks from Iran and bolster their own domestic weapon production. Consequently, the airstrikes alone are unlikely to cripple their military capacity and may instead fuel their determination.

Secondly, the Houthis currently control a significant portion of Yemen, including the capital city of Sana'a, where about 70% of the population resides. The people in these areas have endured years of violence at the hands of the Houthis, including the weaponization of food and water and the diversion of food aid for personal gain. While it is important to note that the Saudi-led coalition and internationally recognized Yemeni government have also faced accusations of war crimes and human rights violations, the Houthi's behavior in power has made them deeply unpopular. However, dissent is risky due to the repressive systems imposed by the Houthis, and yet Yemenis have braved this danger by protesting in large numbers, even in the face of the regime's crackdown. These protests, including those held on September 26 to mark the anniversary of the 1962 revolution, have shaken the Houthis, who responded with wave of arrests and a show of force.

Thirdly, the Houthis' actions reflect the anger of the wider region towards Israel's war in Gaza, which has resulted in the death of thousands of Palestinians. By aligning their actions with the defense of Palestinians, the Houthis have tapped into deep grievances regarding Western support for Israel's policies in occupied Gaza and the West Bank. This has given the group a sense of quasi-legitimacy and has served to discredit their domestic opponents, making it increasingly difficult to dislodge them from power.

As the Houthis continue to escalate their attacks and use the region's fury at Israel's actions as a rallying point, it is evident that further violence may be inevitable. The US and UK military strikes, along with the terrorist designation, have not deterred the Houthis in the foreseeable future. Resolving the situation will require addressing the underlying issues in Yemen's domestic politics and finding a path towards reconciliation in the region.

Note: The numbers and dates mentioned in the provided information have been included in the article.