Houthi Armed Forces Vow Retaliation After U.S. Military Attacks in Yemen
The tension in the Middle East has continued to escalate as the US military carried out multiple attacks on the Houthi armed forces in Yemen, leading to vows of retaliation from the Houthi side. In response to the attacks, Houthi armed forces spokesperson Mohammed Abdul Salam stated that the attacks will not deter them from preventing ships associated with Israel from passing through the Red Sea. Nasruleddin Amir, another spokesman for the Houthi armed forces, also warned that they will respond firmly, violently, and effectively to any new attacks by the US military.
The US military conducted airstrikes targeting Houthi forces for two consecutive days, leading to casualties among the Houthi armed personnel. This prompted threats from the Houthi armed forces, stating that all interests of the United States and the United Kingdom will become legitimate targets for retaliation. The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, expressed deep concern about the situation and called for all relevant parties to exercise maximum restraint amid the escalating tensions.
In the midst of these tensions, U.S. President Joseph Biden revealed that the United States had privately communicated with Iran regarding the frequent attacks by the Houthi armed forces in the Red Sea waters. Biden mentioned that the US has been in communication with Iran and emphasized their readiness for any potential developments.
Iran has strongly condemned the military strikes by the US and Britain against the Houthi armed forces, calling it a violation of international law and an undermining of regional stability. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani stated that the attacks will only exacerbate insecurity and instability in the region. This has led Iran to deploy new missile and drone units on its border and prompted demonstrations near the British Embassy in Tehran.
The situation in the Red Sea has been a point of contention, with Iran pointing to US interference in the region’s political, military, and security affairs as the root cause of tensions. Meanwhile, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, has emphasized that the spillover of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the root cause of the tensions in the Red Sea.
The situation remains tense as both the US and Houthi armed forces appear to be prepared for potential escalation, raising concerns about the stability of the region.