The Houthis have issued a threat of a “strong and effective response” following another overnight strike by the United States in Yemen. These actions raise concerns about an escalation of the conflict that has expanded across the Middle East since the conflict between the Palestinian group Hamas and Israel. Iran’s allies have also become involved in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq.
President Joe Biden mentioned that the US has conveyed a private message to Iran regarding the Houthi attacks, but he did not provide further details. The recent strike, targeting a radar site, occurred after numerous American and British strikes on Houthi facilities in Yemen.
Houthi spokesperson Nasruldeen Amer stated that the new strike would prompt a firm and effective response, with no reported injuries or material damages. Despite the strikes, another Houthi spokesperson, Mohammed Abdulsalam, mentioned that they had no significant impact on the group’s ability to impede Israel-affiliated vessels in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea.
The UN special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, has called for maximum restraint from all parties, citing an increasingly precarious situation in the region. The Houthis claim their maritime campaign aims to support Palestinians under Israeli siege and attack in Gaza. They control Sanaa and much of the west and north of Yemen, employing drones and missiles against Israel.
In response to the Houthi attacks, the US used Tomahawk missiles to degrade the group’s ability to target maritime vessels. The strikes have drawn strong reactions in Yemen, with some viewing them as brutal aggression, marking a new stage in the decade-long war. The situation remains complex, with ongoing tensions and regional implications.
