Tensions Rise in the Middle East as Houthi Forces Vow to Respond to US and UK Air Strikes
Yemen’s Houthi armed forces have declared that they will not be intimidated by the recent air strikes launched by the United States and Britain and have pledged to respond to the actions of the two countries. The airstrikes, which took place on Saturday, targeted Houthi armed strongholds in Yemen and were described as the largest thus far.
The operation received support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand and targeted 13 locations in Yemen, hitting a total of 36 targets. The focus was on destroying the underground arsenal of the Houthi armed forces, as well as missile systems, launchers, air defense systems, and radars. The United States stated that the purpose of the strike was to destroy and weaken the Houthi armed forces’ ability to attack ships in the Red Sea.
The Houthi armed forces have been accused of frequently attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea and nearby waters, leading to the suspension of navigation in the region by many shipping companies around the world.
A spokesman for the Houthi forces stated that the attacks will not deter their support for the Palestinian people and vowed that they will not go unanswered or unpunished. The spokesperson also mentioned that a total of 47 air strikes were launched by the United States and Britain in Yemen.
Some analysts believe that the latest round of strikes by the United States and Britain is intended to emphasize to Iran that the US believes Iran should bear responsibility for supporting and funding a series of armed organizations. The United States has accused Iran of supporting the Houthi armed forces, as well as Lebanese Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iraqi Shiite militias.
Just one day before the air strikes in Yemen, the US military conducted air strikes on over 85 Iran-related targets in Syria and Iraq in response to an attack on US military bases in Jordan. The attack on the US military base in Jordan, which resulted in the deaths of three US soldiers, was attributed to armed organizations supported by Iran.
The situation in the Middle East remains tense as the Houthi forces respond to the air strikes, and concerns over the involvement of various countries in the region continue to grow.