U.S. and U.K. Conduct Joint night Strikes Against Houthi Rebels in Yemen - Escalation Feared

 In a recent series of developments, American and British forces carried out multiple attacks against Houthi rebels in Yemen, escalating tensions in the region. The United States Army, in coordination with the United Kingdom and support from Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and Bahrain, launched joint strikes targeting Houthi positions.

The latest attack, announced by the U.S. Army, involved a battleship launching Tomahawk missiles at a radar site. The operation, conducted at 00:45 Yemen time, aimed to "reduce the ability of the Houthis to attack vessels," according to U.S. officials. The strikes were described as a complementary effort following a previous wave of attacks.

Houthi-affiliated sources reported additional airstrikes in Sana'a, targeting a base near the international airport. In response, Hazam al-Assad, a member of the Houthi political bureau, warned of destructive retaliation against the U.S. and the U.K., accusing them of violating Yemen's sovereignty.

U.S. President Joe Biden labeled the Houthis, seen as Iran's emissaries in Yemen, a "terrorist organization." General Douglas Sims of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff revealed that around 30 centers in Yemen were attacked in the previous operation, using over 150 weapons.

Amidst the tensions, the international community reacted differently. Russia's Ambassador to the UN condemned the attacks as "blatant aggression," while the U.S. Ambassador asserted that the strikes aimed to disrupt Houthi attacks on civilian vessels.

The U.S. and the U.K. emphasized their commitment to preventing escalation but warned of additional measures if Houthi attacks persisted. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's office defended the strikes as "necessary and proportionate."

However, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the attack as disproportionate, accusing the U.S. and the U.K. of wanting to turn the Red Sea into a "sea of blood." Hezbollah and Hamas also condemned the actions, linking them to U.S. complicity in the Gaza conflict.

As tensions rise, concerns grow over potential retaliation from the Houthi rebels, who declared American and British interests as "legitimate goals." The situation remains fluid, with implications for regional stability and maritime security.