US and Houthis Escalate Military Rhetoric After Yemen Airstrikes
The US and Houthi rebels are escalating tensions following US airstrikes that killed over 50 in Yemen. Both sides vow retaliation, with the Houthis threatening missile strikes and the US asserting military resolve. The humanitarian crisis in Yemen complicates the situation further, prompting international calls for restraint.
The United States and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have intensified their rhetoric following recent US airstrikes aimed at deterring Houthi assaults on military and commercial vessels in a critical shipping corridor. The Houthi-run Health Ministry reported that the attacks resulted in at least 53 fatalities, including women and children, and nearly 100 injuries across various regions, including Sanaa and Saada.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted that the strikes are a necessary response to end Houthi control over shipping routes. President Donald Trump reinforced this stance, promising to utilize overwhelming force to cease Houthi attacks while holding Iran accountable for its role. The Houthis, motivated by solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid ongoing conflict, are determined to resume their attacks against Israeli vessels.
The recent airstrikes represent one of the most significant military actions against the Houthis since the onset of the Gaza war in October 2023. National security adviser Mike Waltz noted that multiple Houthi leaders were targeted, although he did not provide additional details regarding their identities. Rubio indicated that significant Houthi facilities were destroyed.
In response, Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi threatened to escalate their tactics further, promising missile strikes against US assets. He indicated that the Houthis had already launched missiles and drones in retaliation, although US defenses successfully intercepted most of these. Reports confirm that the Houthis targeted the USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group with missiles and drones.
A US official reported that, following the airstrikes, the Houthis fired 11 drones and a missile; however, US fighter jets intercepted these projectiles without any damage to naval assets. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged both parties to exercise restraint and cease hostilities, citing the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
Rubio highlighted a significant uptick in Houthi aggression, noting a total of 174 direct attacks on US Navy vessels and 145 assaults on commercial shipping over the past 18 months. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard leader, Gen. Hossein Salami, denied any involvement in the Houthis’ operational strategies, asserting that Iran does not dictate the actions of its allied groups. Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister urged the US to stop its airstrikes, emphasizing that such actions cannot influence the country’s foreign policy decisions.
Previous military operations involving the US, Israel, and Britain have targeted Houthi regions, but the current operation has been solely executed by the US, marking the first direct military strike against the Houthis under President Trump’s second term. The USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group, including advanced naval assets, is actively engaged in the Red Sea region as part of this operation.
The escalation of military action between the United States and the Houthi rebels highlights a complex geopolitical situation exacerbated by regional tensions. Both parties have vowed to intensify their respective responses, creating a precarious environment for naval operations. The US’s commitment to neutralizing Houthi threats underscores the broader implications for maritime security in key shipping lanes. Amidst these hostilities, the humanitarian consequences in Yemen remain a critical concern, prompting calls for restraint from international figures.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
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