US and UK launch strikes in Yemen against the Houthis, who have ties to Iran

US and UK launch strikes in Yemen against the Houthis, who have ties to Iran

Washington: Following a tragic attack on US troops last weekend, the US and Britain began massive operations against Iran-linked militias in Yemen on Saturday by launching strikes against 36 Houthi sites.

According to the Pentagon, the strikes targeted 13 different areas around the nation and destroyed underground weapons storage facilities, missile systems, launchers, and other equipment the Houthis have used to attack vessels in the Red Sea.

It was the most recent indication of the Middle East's escalating strife since Israel and Hamas went to war following the terrorist organization's lethal attack on Israel on October 7.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated, "This collective action sends a clear message to the Houthis that they will continue to bear further consequences if they do not end their illegal attacks on international shipping and naval vessels."

The US is waging a military campaign of revenge in Yemen in response to the deaths of three American soldiers in a drone strike carried out by militants with Iranian support on a Jordanian outpost.

The US launched the first round of such retribution on Friday, allegedly killing close to 40 people by targeting over 85 targets in Syria and Iraq that were connected to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and militias it supports.

The Houthis of Yemen, who have ties to Iran, have been regularly attacking commercial ships and warships in the Red Sea, while Washington accuses Iran-backed militias of attacking US troops at bases in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan.

The Houthis, who rule the most populated areas of Yemen, claim that they are attacking in support of the Palestinian people in response to Israel's attacks on Gaza. However, the US and its allies paint them as indiscriminate threats to international trade.

Major shipping companies have mostly abandoned the vital commerce route in favor of lengthier routes around Africa due to the rising unrest in the Red Sea. Costs have gone up as a result, adding to concerns about worldwide inflation and depriving Egypt of vital foreign exchange earnings from shippers traveling via the Suez Canal to and from the Red Sea.

Experts argue that while Biden's new approach to Yemen seeks to destabilize the Houthi militants, it falls well short of attempting to overthrow the organization or go after Iran, which is the Houthis' principal backer.

Combining limited military strikes with sanctions, the plan seems to be intended to penalize the Houthis while lowering the possibility of a wider Middle East confrontation.

In the last few weeks, the US has launched over a dozen strikes against Houthi sites, but the group's attacks have not been stopped.

The Houthi military spokeswoman, Sarea, implied on social media that the group would keep interfering in the Red Sea in a statement.

Sarea declared, "These attacks will not deter us from our humanitarian, ethical, and religious stance in support of the resilient Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip."

The US military's Central Command released statements about earlier, more restricted operations in the previous day, including killing six cruise missiles the Houthis were getting ready to launch against ships in the Red Sea, just hours before the most recent significant round of air and sea attacks.

Additionally, the US military destroyed a Houthi cruise missile that was about to fire at 4 a.m. Yemeni time (0100 GMT).

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According to British Defense Minister Grant Shapps, "this is not an escalation." "We are certain that our most recent strikes have further diminished the Houthis' capabilities. We have already successfully targeted launchers and storage sites involved in Houthi attacks."

The United States reported that Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand were in favor of the strikes on Sunday. According to US Central Command, the strikes went beyond missile range and targeted radars, helicopters, and drone storage and operational sites.

The Pentagon has stated that it does not want conflict with Iran and does not think Tehran wants war either, despite the strikes against organizations with ties to Iran. Republicans in the US have increased their pressure on Democratic President Joe Biden to strike a hard blow to Iran.

It was unknown how Tehran would react to the strikes, which weaken the organizations Tehran supports but do not directly target Iran.

The attacks in Iraq and Syria, according to a statement from Nasser Kanaani, the spokeswoman for Iran's foreign ministry, represent "another adventurous and strategic mistake by the United States that will result only in increased tension and instability."

Following strikes, Iraq called on the US charge d'affaires in Baghdad to deliver a formal complaint.

Written by ✍🏻 Mr. ABDUL REHMAN

📆 Feb 04, 2024