In the latest escalation of tensions in the region, the United States and the United Kingdom launched a series of strikes on Yemen against the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels. The Houthis, who support Palestinian group Hamas, have been targeting international shipping in the Red Sea. The attacks have been branded as “barbaric” by the Houthis, who have vowed to continue targeting ships heading towards Israel. Israel has yet to comment on the situation.
The international community has responded to the attack, which has the potential to further inflame tensions in the region. The foreign ministry of Yemen condemned the strikes, accusing the US and UK of supporting the war crimes committed by Israel against the Palestinian people and the citizens of Gaza. They called for restraint and emphasized the importance of maintaining security and stability in the Red Sea region.
Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi blamed the rising tensions on Israel’s aggression in Gaza and its violation of international law. He stressed the interconnectedness of regional stability and security. Safadi called on the international community to take responsibility and put an end to Israel’s aggression, warning that failure to do so could lead to a regional war with global implications.
Dylan White, a spokesperson for the military alliance, defended the strikes as defensive measures to preserve freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. Hezbollah, an ally of Iran and the Houthis, accused the US of being complicit in the tragedies and massacres committed by Israel in Gaza and the region.
Hamas, another Palestinian group based in Gaza, condemned the strikes and held the US and UK governments responsible for the impact on regional security. Islamic Jihad, yet another Palestinian group, described the escalation as evidence of the US administration’s “war of genocide” against the Palestinian people in Gaza. They called on the Arab and Islamic nations to take action against the aggression in Yemen.
Russia criticized the strikes, stating that they violated international law and exploited a United Nations Security Council resolution that called for an end to Houthi attacks on shipping lanes. France condemned the Houthi strikes on commercial vessels and called for an immediate halt to them. Germany aimed to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea region. Belgium emphasized the danger posed by the ongoing Houthi attacks and expressed a commitment to restore security in the region. The Netherlands and Denmark voiced their support for the US and UK strikes.
Oman, however, denounced the military action, stating that it went against their advice and would only exacerbate an already dangerous situation. In the United States, politicians had mixed reactions. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell welcomed the operations against the Houthis, while Representative Ro Khanna emphasized the need for congressional approval before launching strikes. British politicians Jeremy Corbyn, Diane Abbott, and Lindsay Hoyle criticized the military action, calling it reckless and stressing the importance of parliamentary approval.
The situation in Yemen remains tense, with international reactions highlighting the complexity of the conflict and the implications for regional stability. As tensions continue to escalate, the international community faces a critical decision on how to address the ongoing crisis.
