Following U.S. air strikes that killed at least 31 people in Yemen, the Houthis have vowed retaliation. U.S. officials plan to continue military actions to counter Houthi assaults on shipping. Diplomatic solutions are suggested as a means to resolve escalating violence and humanitarian crises in the region.

The Yemeni Houthis have pledged to retaliate following the United States’ order for air strikes that resulted in the deaths of at least 31 individuals. The strikes were conducted in response to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. The Houthi political bureau characterized these measures as a war crime, asserting their commitment to “meet escalation with escalation.”

Houthi Health Ministry spokesperson Anis Al-Asbahi reported that the aerial attacks targeted the capital, Sanaa, and several regions including Saada, Al Bayda, and Radaa, leading to significant casualties, including many women and children. President Donald Trump indicated that the U.S. would apply “overwhelming lethal force” until the Houthis ceased their maritime assaults.

Initially responding to the Israeli war on Gaza, the Houthis had resumed attacks on maritime shipping, demanding the lifting of the Gaza blockade and allowing humanitarian aid into the region. Following a ceasefire that took effect in January, the Houthis paused their assaults until a deadline for Israel to facilitate aid had lapsed in March.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized the commitment to conduct “unrelenting strikes” against the Houthis, indicating their actions are intended to curb attacks on U.S. assets and international shipping. He noted that this campaign aimed to serve as a warning to Iran regarding its support for the Houthis. U.S. military operations have been persistent, following the Houthis’ maritime activities since November 2023.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the sentiments of a continued U.S. military presence in Yemen, attributing responsibility for the conflict to Iranian support of the Houthis. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz announced that the strikes had effectively eliminated several Houthi leaders. The Houthis have yet to confirm this information.

Former U.S. diplomat Nabeel Khoury described the strikes as “misguided,” arguing that bombing would not suffice to suppress the Houthis, who have endured substantial bombardment. He suggested that the ongoing shipping conflicts could be resolved through diplomatic efforts. Amid this surge of military tensions, Iranian officials, including General Hossein Salami, refuted claims of Iran’s involvement in Houthi activities, asserting the independence of regional factions in their operational decision-making.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also called on the U.S. to cease military actions, stating that Washington cannot dictate Iran’s foreign policy.

In summary, the tensions between the Houthis and the United States have escalated following recent air strikes that resulted in significant casualties. The Houthis have declared their intent to retaliate vigorously, while U.S. officials maintain that military operations will persist until the group ceases its attacks. Diplomatic resolutions to the underlying issues remain a crucial consideration moving forward, as military violence continues to exacerbate regional tensions.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com

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