US and UK’s Attack on Houthis Aimed to Distract from Israeli Genocide
Houthi Official Threatens Painful Response to US and UK Attacks on Yemen
Hizam al-Assad, a prominent leader of the Iran-backed Houthis (Ansarullah Movement) in Yemen, has issued a warning to the United States and the United Kingdom, stating that their recent military actions in Yemen have put their interests and maritime navigation at risk. In response, al-Assad has threatened that the Houthis’ reaction to these countries will be “painful”.
Al-Assad accused the US and UK of attempting to divert attention from the “genocidal crimes” committed by Israel against the people of Gaza through their hostile operations in Yemen. He emphasized that the attacks carried out by the US and UK will have consequences and accused them of trying to restore their reputation in the Red Sea through these actions.
The recent airstrikes by US and British warplanes targeted locations in Yemen’s Sanaa, Hudaydah, and Taiz cities.
The conflict in the Red Sea has escalated as the Houthis, with support from Iran, have been seizing commercial ships they perceive as affiliated with Israeli companies and launching attacks on them with drones and missiles. This chain of events began as a response to Israeli attacks in Gaza.
The US military has reported multiple interceptions of missiles and kamikaze drones fired from Yemen. As a result of the actions by the Houthis, several shipping companies have opted to halt their voyages in the Red Sea.
In response to the escalating situation, the USA announced the formation of a multinational “maritime task force” known as “Operation Welfare Guardian” on December 18, with the participation of various countries. The task force was established to address the perceived threats to global maritime trade security.
The conflict reached a critical point when US helicopters fired on three speedboats belonging to the Houthis that were attempting to seize an Israeli-linked ship in the Red Sea on December 31. The Houthis later claimed responsibility for targeting a US ship with missiles and kamikaze drones on January 10, accusing it of supporting Israel.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) responded to the situation by adopting a draft resolution, put forth by the US and Japan, on January 11. The resolution called for an immediate end to the Houthis’ attacks in the Red Sea.
Notably, approximately 12 percent of global trade passes through the Suez Canal, linking the Mediterranean to the Red Sea and providing the shortest route between Europe and Asia. The conflict in the Red Sea has raised concerns about the impact on global trade and maritime security.
