The U.K. and U.S. have once again joined forces to carry out strikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, escalating tensions in the region amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The top foreign officials of both countries have condemned the Houthi attacks, emphasizing the need to protect innocent lives and preserve freedom of navigation.
“Our aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, but let us reiterate our warning to Houthi leadership: we will not hesitate to continue to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways in the face of continued threats,” the U.S. and U.K. said in a joint statement with Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Australia, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.
The former Conservative prime minister said the third wave of joint U.K. and U.S. airstrikes on Saturday took place after “repeated warnings” for the rebel militant group to cease.
He wrote on X: “We have issued repeated warnings to the Houthis. Their reckless actions are putting innocent lives at risk, threatening the freedom of navigation, and destabilizing the region. The Houthi attacks must stop.”
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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the U.K.’s commitment to degrading the capabilities of the Houthis and protecting international vessels.
U.K. Secretary of State for Defense Grant Shapps emphasized the proportionality and legality of the strikes, highlighting the importance of self-defense and adherence to international law. He reiterated that the strikes were targeted at specific military targets and aimed to degrade the capabilities of the Houthis without escalating the situation further.
However, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani criticized the military attacks on Yemen, as well as the U.S. strikes in Iraq and Syria. He warned that such actions would only escalate tensions and instability in the region, emphasizing the importance of respecting the sovereignty of nations.
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Despite the military action, the Houthis remain defiant, vowing to respond to what they perceive as aggression from the U.S. and U.K. Mohammed Al-Bukhaiti, a spokesman for the group, affirmed their commitment to continue their military actions against Israel until their demands are met.
The conflict in Yemen has intensified in recent months, with the Houthis launching attacks on commercial shipping vessels in solidarity with Hamas. This has led to a joint military response from the U.S. and U.K., with concerns about the potential impact on global shipping and stability in the region.
As tensions continue to escalate, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to travel to the Middle East, underscoring the urgency of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation and promote peace in the region.
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U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the most recent strikes “are intended to disrupt further and degrade the capabilities” of the Houthi militia.
“This collective action sends a clear message to the Houthis that they will continue to bear further consequences if they do not end their illegal attacks on international shipping and naval vessels,” Austin said in a statement. “We will not hesitate to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways.”
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