United States and United Kingdom released this Thursday air strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen due to attacks by this Iranian-backed group against shipping in the Red Sea, confirmed authorities and witnesses in the cities of the Arab country.
The American president, Joe Biden, confirmed in a statement that the attacks have arrived “with success” several Houthi targets with the “support” of Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands.
The president expressed it “will not hesitate” to “order other measures” to protect the United States and international trade.
The Houthis have carried out an increasing number of attacks on the important Red Sea shipping route since the Gaza war broke out with the unprecedented attack by the Islamist group Hamas against Israel on October 7.
According to US media, the Western offensive is involved fighter planes and Tomahawk missiles.
A Houthi source and witnesses said the airstrikes They hit several cities in Yemen, where pro-Iranian rebels control a strip of territory.
This Western retaliation increases the risk of upending an already tense situation in the Middle East in a broader conflagration pitting the United States and Israel against Iran and its regional allies.
The British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunakhas called an emergency cabinet meeting in London this Thursday and approved the attacks against the Houthis, reported by the media.
Houthi rebels say they are acting in response to the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip following the Hamas incursion, and They launched a series of drones and missiles towards Israel.
that group controls much of Yemen since the civil war broke out in 2014 and is part of the so-called “axis of resistance” against Israel, supported by Iran.
United States and its allies had issued a series of increasingly severe warnings to the Houthis put an end to maritime attacks, although at the same time they were cautious about the risk of stoking regional tensions.
In December, Washington created an international coalition to protect maritime traffic in the area, through which 12% of world trade passes.
Twelve countries led by the United States They then warned the Houthis on January 3 of “consequences” if they did not immediately end attacks on commercial shipping.
But last Tuesday, rebels launched what London called the Yemeni group’s biggest attack yet: U.S. and British forces They shot down 18 drones and three missiles.
British Defense Minister Grant Shapps said on Wednesday that “enough is enough.”
Also That day the UN Security Council called for the immediate cessation of naval attacks, warning of a threat to regional peace and security.
The final straw for the Western allies appeared to come early Thursday, when the U.S. military declared that the rebels had done it launched an anti-ship ballistic missile at a shipping lane in the Gulf of Aden.
According to the US military, yes 27th attack against international shipping in the Red Sea since November 19.
The intensification of attacks caused shipping companies avoid the route and detour around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, triggering fears of disruption to the global economy.
The Houthis support it They only attack ships tied to Israel or its allies.
Source: Clarin
Mary Ortiz is a seasoned journalist with a passion for world events. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a fresh perspective to the latest global happenings and provides in-depth coverage that offers a deeper understanding of the world around us.