Against the backdrop of the conflict in Gaza, tensions in the Red Sea continue to rise. The United States targeted the Houthis for the second day in a rowwith new attacks on Yemen to weaken the military capabilities of the Shiite group that threatens Western cargo and oil tankers.
The attacks were on a much smaller scale than the joint British attack on almost 30 targets, and the Iran-aligned movement reacted with contempt: “No significant damage, we will continue to prevent shipping traffic“From Israel-friendly countries,” was the warning.
The US Navy's operation in the early hours of Saturday saw the destroyer USS Carney hit a Yemeni radar site. The US military later said it was an attack “related to the January 12 attacks aimed at reducing the Houthis' ability to attack merchant ships,” while official media from Tehran-backed militias reported a raid on an air base in the Capital Sanaa reported to be under their control. Yemeni security sources later reported another raid on a Houthi missile launch site in the port city of Hodeida.
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ANSA Crosetto Agency: “No request from the Allies to participate in the attacks” – News – Ansa.it Pd-M5s: “The government should report to the Chamber.” Tajani restarts the expansion of the mission” (ANSA)
The intensive bombing of Houthi positions was justified by Washington and London as a “defensive action.” in response to the Yemeni armed group's intensification of attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea (over 20 attacks since November), but the response does not herald de-escalation. The Houthis initially downplayed the damage through their spokesman, adding that there were no casualties. And above all, they promised a “strong and effective response.”
The threat from missiles and drones will continue to affect the commercial vessels of the countries that the Houthis call “allies of Israel” in response to the Gaza invasion.
And to confirm support for the Palestinian cause, The Shiite militias have released a video in which they simulate an attack on an Israeli village and the kidnapping of two Orthodox Jews: a macabre response to the Hamas attack on October 7th. The video was rebroadcast by the Jewish State's public television, which is already grappling with another armed group in the Iranian galaxy, Lebanon's Hezbollah.
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ANSA Agency The stages of escalation in the Middle East The US and UK raids on Houthi bases in Yemen are the latest development in a war that has been a crisis since October 7, the day of Hamas attacks in Israel is experiencing escalating tensions in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and the Red Sea. (HANDLING)
The escalation in the Red Sea has fueled fears of an expansion of the conflict in the region. Turkey and Saudi Arabia are at the forefront of those calling for moderation, while the UN Security Council confirmed the split between powers for or against Israel in the Gaza war.
At the UN headquarters, the US described the action against the Houthis as “necessary” and “proportionate”, while Russia accused Washington and London of “blatant aggression” on the territory of Yemen. As for the stone guest of this crisis, Iran, there has been a “condemnation” of the attacks against the Houthis, but nothing more. Although the Ayatollah regime has an interest in its allies destabilizing Westerners throughout the region, it has so far shown no intention of directly intervening in the conflict.
Although he did send a destroyer into the Red Sea on New Year's Day. So far, the Houthis' hunt for Western ships has had a significant impact on global trade. Oil prices rose by up to 4% while major shipping companies rerouted traffic by sailing around Africa, significantly increasing travel times compared to the traditional crossing from Suez: The volume of containers transported from the Red Sea is down 70% since November, according to some experts. The EU is also trying to defend this strategic path. The issue will be the focus of the next Foreign Affairs Council, which will discuss how to strengthen the Atalanta mission already active in the region, which was established primarily with the function of combating piracy.
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ANSA Assoutenti Agency, Suez risks cascading price increases for consumers – News – Ansa.it Growing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East threaten to have a direct impact on Italian consumers through a series of price and tariff increases that affect various sectors and could cost hundreds of euros for families. (HANDLING)
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