Houthis warn of attacking US warships
The leader of Yemen’s Houthis warns of striking U.S. warships in response to multinational force
The leader of Yemen’s Houthis issued a warning on Wednesday, stating that they would target U.S. warships if the Iranian-backed militia was targeted by Washington. This comes as the U.S. recently established a multinational force to counter Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
The Houthis, who have gained control over significant portions of Yemen after years of conflict, have been launching drone and missile attacks on international vessels passing through the Red Sea since last month. They claim that these attacks are in response to Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip.
In an effort to deter and respond to future Houthi attacks, the U.S.-led security initiative involves Washington and 10 other countries, primarily from NATO, patrolling the Red Sea. These attacks have already caused major global shipping lines to reroute around Africa.
“We will not stand idly by if the Americans are tempted to escalate further and commit foolishness by targeting our country or waging war against it,”
Abdel-Malek al-Houthi stated in a televised speech. He further added, “Any American targeting of our country will be targeted by us, and we will make American battleships, interests, and navigation a target for our missiles, drones, and military operations.”
The crisis in the Red Sea has emerged from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza’s ruling Palestinian Islamist group, Hamas. This conflict has once again pitted the U.S. and its allies against Iran and its Arab militia proxies.
The war began when Hamas fighters crossed the Gaza border into southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and foreigners, according to Israeli authorities. In response, Israel launched a retaliatory bombardment and invasion of Gaza, aiming to eliminate Hamas. This has led to the deaths of nearly 20,000 Palestinians, as reported by health officials in the densely populated coastal enclave.
During this conflict, Iranian proxies, including the Houthis and Lebanese Hezbollah, have fired rockets at Israel. Meanwhile, the Houthis have intensified their attacks in the Red Sea, threatening to target all ships heading to Israel and warning shipping companies against dealing with Israeli ports.
These attacks have disrupted a crucial trade route connecting Europe and North America with Asia through the Suez Canal. As a result, container shipping costs have significantly risen as companies seek alternative, often longer, routes.
Under the name “Operation Prosperity Guardian,” the U.S. and ten other countries, including Britain, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain, will conduct joint patrols in the southern Red Sea and the adjacent Gulf of Aden.
“As long as the Americans want to enter into a direct war with us, they should know that we are not those who fear them, and that they are facing an entire people,”
warned al-Houthi. He also cautioned against sending soldiers to Yemen, stating that they would “face something harsher than what they faced in Afghanistan and what they suffered in Vietnam.”
Reporting by Jana Choukeir, Clauda Tanios in Dubai, Mohammed Ghobari in Aden; writing by Jana Choukeir and Alexander Cornwell; editing by Andrew Heavens, Mark Heinrich, and Toby Chopra
How has the United States-led multinational force been effective in deterring future attacks and ensuring the safety of international shipping in the Red Sea?
T has ignited tensions between various regional players, including Iran and Saudi Arabia. Yemen, which has been devastated by years of civil war, has also become a major battleground in this regional power struggle.
The Houthis, an Iranian-backed Shia militia, have been fighting against the internationally recognized government of Yemen since 2015. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and has pushed the country to the brink of famine.
For the past month, the Houthis have been escalating their attacks on international vessels passing through the Red Sea. These attacks have targeted commercial shipping lines and have disrupted the flow of goods and resources in the region. The United Nations has expressed concern over these actions, warning that they could lead to a full-scale war.
In response to the Houthi attacks, the United States spearheaded a multinational force to patrol the Red Sea and protect commercial vessels. This initiative involves cooperation between the US and 10 other countries, primarily from NATO. The objective is to deter future attacks and ensure the safety of international shipping.
However, the latest warning from the Houthi leader indicates that they are not willing to back down. They have made it clear that they consider any targeting of their country by the Americans as a declaration of war. They have vowed to retaliate by targeting American warships and interests in the region.
This escalation of rhetoric is deeply concerning, as it raises the risk of a broader conflict in an already volatile region. The United States and its allies must tread carefully and consider the possible consequences of further provoking the Houthis. Any military action against them could lead to a wider regional conflict, dragging in other actors such as Saudi Arabia and Iran.
It is crucial to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Yemen and address the root causes of the conflict. This includes addressing the grievances of the Houthi rebels and finding a way to end the devastating humanitarian crisis in the country. The international community must work together to de-escalate tensions and promote dialogue between all parties involved.
The situation in Yemen and the Red Sea highlights the challenges of managing conflicts in a complex and interconnected world. It serves as a reminder of the importance of diplomacy and the need for international cooperation in addressing regional crises. Failure to do so could have severe consequences for the region and the global community as a whole.
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