President Joe Biden delivered a resolute message to Iran as the US and UK jointly conducted airstrikes on multiple Houthi targets in Yemen, responding to Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea. The strikes, initiated on Thursday night, continued into Friday on a smaller scale, with the first round resulting in five casualties and six injuries, aimed at diminishing the Houthi’s capacity to launch further Red Sea attacks.
Defending the strikes, President Biden assured reporters that civilian casualties were avoided during Friday’s military operations, labeling them a success. Addressing Iran’s involvement with the Houthis, he asserted, “I’ve already delivered the message to Iran. They know not to do anything.”
Iran and its regional allies, including Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon, have been targeting US and Israeli interests in support of Palestinians against Israel’s actions in Gaza. Nasser Kanaani, spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, criticized the US/UK strikes, claiming they only diverted attention from Gaza and fueled instability in the region.
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Expressing concerns, some Middle Eastern countries, like Saudi Arabia, fear the strikes could escalate tensions and potentially lead to a regional war or direct confrontation with Iran. President Biden and his chief spokesperson, John Kirby, emphasized the administration’s reluctance for conflict with Iran, stressing a lack of intention to escalate beyond recent events.
The guided-missile destroyer Carney launched a second round of strikes on Saturday, targeting a radar site. According to the US Central Command, these strikes aimed to degrade the Houthi’s ability to attack maritime vessels, including commercial ones.
The Houthis responded vehemently, declaring all American-British interests as legitimate targets. Concurrently, ‘hundreds of thousands’ of Yemenis protested in Sanaa, expressing solidarity with Palestinians and condemning the overnight attacks.
Criticism extended beyond the region, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accusing the US and UK of using excessive force and expressing concern over the potential bloodshed in the Red Sea.
The Yemen airstrikes have escalated the ongoing Middle East crisis, with the US and UK governments justifying their actions as a “necessary and appropriate” response to Houthi attacks on commercial vessels. However, discontent is growing among US lawmakers, with Rep. Mark Pocan emphasizing the constitutional need for congressional authorization before continuing airstrikes in Yemen.
