US Delivers ‘Private Message’ to Iran After Yemen Strikes
US President Joe Biden has revealed that America has sent a private message to Iran regarding the Houthis in Yemen. This comes after the US conducted a second strike on the group, targeting radar. While Iran denies any involvement in the attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea, it is suspected of supplying the group with weapons. The US emphasizes that Iranian intelligence plays a crucial role in enabling the Houthis to target ships. Joint airstrikes by the UK and US, supported by allies such as Australia and Canada, targeted nearly 30 Houthi positions. In response to the strikes, a Houthi spokesman stated that they had no significant impact on the group’s ability to affect shipping.
The Houthis, an armed group representing Yemen’s Shia Muslim minority, the Zaidis, have control over most areas in Yemen, including Sanaa and the north of the country, as well as the Red Sea coastline. The US and UK maintain that the airstrikes in Yemen are entirely separate from the war in Gaza. They view them as a necessary and proportionate response to the unprovoked Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. However, in Yemen and the wider Arab world, these airstrikes are seen as the US and UK siding with Israel in the Gaza conflict since the Houthis have declared their actions to be in solidarity with Hamas and the people of Gaza. Some theories even suggest that the West is carrying out the bidding of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
While the airstrikes may temporarily degrade the Houthis’ capacity to attack ships, there is a growing concern that continued airstrikes could lead the US and UK into another conflict in Yemen. It took more than eight years for Saudi Arabia to disengage itself from the country’s civil war, and the Houthis are now more entrenched than ever. The Red Sea is a vital route for global seaborne trade, accounting for approximately 15% of it. This includes 8% of global grain, 12% of seaborne oil, and 8% of the world’s liquefied natural gas. The US claims that the Houthis have attempted to attack and harass vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden on 28 occasions. As a result, some major shipping companies have ceased operations in the region, and insurance costs have risen dramatically since December.
The ongoing conflict and its impact on global trade have further complicated international relations. London and Washington have expressed their support for Israel following the recent attacks by Hamas, which resulted in significant casualties. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, Israel’s retaliatory campaign has claimed the lives of more than 23,800 Palestinians, with thousands more believed to be buried under the rubble. The situation has garnered diverging perspectives, with Western governments emphasizing the need to address the Houthi threat in Yemen and others viewing these airstrikes as an extension of the conflict in Gaza.
It remains critical for all parties involved to navigate these challenges diplomatically and find a peaceful resolution. The potential consequences of prolonged conflict in Yemen could have severe implications not only for the region but the global economy as well. As tensions persist, it is essential to balance security interests with the pursuit of long-term stability and humanitarian needs.
(Note: This news article has been generated based on provided details and does not reflect the opinions or perspectives of the writer or the news agency.)
