HOUTHI AND THE RED SEA
Image Source: The Economic Times
The U.S. And U.K. have joined hands in what looks to be a joint operation against Iran’s proxy forces, i.e. the Houthis in Yemen. Friday’s coordinated airstrikes by the UK and the US against Houthi military targets in Yemen, according to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, were a “necessary and proportionate action in self-defence.” The first attacks on the Houthi militia since it began threatening foreign shipping in the Red Sea in November 2023 are being spearheaded by the United States.
The governments of the United Kingdom, the United States, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea issued a joint statement in which they reaffirmed that despite severe warnings, the firing of multiple missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) against ships in the Red Sea, including US and UK vessels, had continued. The statement noted: “In response to continued illegal, dangerous, and destabilising Houthi attacks against vessels, including commercial shipping, transiting the Red Sea, the armed forces of the United States and United Kingdom, with support from the Netherlands, Canada, Bahrain, and Australia, conducted joint strikes in accordance with the inherent right of individual and collective self-defence, consistent with the UN Charter, against a number of targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.”
The US Air Force claimed that Houthis had targeted more than 60 targets at 16 different places, and Sunak charged the Iranian-backed outfit of posing a threat to UK ships. As both nations look to pump aid to Israel, Houthis are creating several hindrances, with them practically attacking every single foreign ship that dares to enter the Red Sea zone. It is also causing trouble for Indian trade, since the 1.2-billion-dollar Haifa port in Israel which was acquired by Adani group falls in the vicinity of that exact area. It is giving rise to all kinds of problems for cargo ships wishing to transport exported goods.
What’s interesting to observe here is Iran’s sudden desire to fuel conflict. Very recently it was attacked by bombers who belong to the Islamic State, which could have well been an act of aggression inflicted on Iran by the United States, since Iran overtly supports the Palestinian cause and is forging warmer ties with the Russian Federation. (after it refused to ramp up oil production as demanded by the U.S. to ensure a homeostasis in global oil prices after sanctions were imposed on Russian crude oil, post Putin’s declaration of a “special military operation” in Ukraine) The armed blockade of the Red Sea by proxy forces could mean that Iran is not willing to back down to international pressure. When it comes to using terms like ‘international pressure’, the President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir Putin was also heard praising a few leaders who chose not to crush under “international pressure”. He mentioned Mr. Narendra Modi and Ebrahim Raisi’s names, whom he considers to be among those certain national leaders.
2024 could not have gotten off to a worse geopolitical start than this, and we’re not even halfway through January.
Team Profile
- News Writer
- Ishaan Shahabadi is an individual driven by a diligent passion for international affairs, politics, reading, and writing. With a comprehensive understanding of these subjects, he possesses the expertise to add significant value and seamlessly integrate into the proposed process. Ishaan is committed to prioritizing assigned tasks, meeting deadlines, and ensuring optimal performance, showcasing a robust work ethic. His dedication and proficiency make him a valuable asset, ready to contribute meaningfully to any project or initiative he undertakes.
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