The United States and the United Kingdom, with the support of several allies, including Canada, carried out an unprecedented attack against rebels in Yemen on Thursday evening.
• Also read: Iran seizes oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman in retaliation against the US
• Also read: Houthi rebels attack: Ship collapses in Red Sea, expert says
• Also read: Houthi attack in Red Sea, 21 drones and missiles shot down
“It is too early to tell the extent of the damage, but limited attacks will not harm the Houthis enough to make a difference.” […] On the other hand, if the United States launches major attacks, we risk getting stuck in a new war in the Middle East. It’s very difficult to find a balance,” notes Thomas Juneau, a professor at the University of Ottawa’s Graduate School of International Public Affairs.
telegram
After numerous attacks by Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea in recent weeks, the United States and the United Kingdom reported on Thursday “successful” rebel attacks on the Yemeni capital and other controlled cities in the country.
Since the war began on October 7 between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Iran-aligned Houthis have increased their attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and claim to have targeted boats affiliated with the Hebrew State in solidarity with the Palestinians.
Thomas Juneau, professor at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa. PHOTO PROVIDED BY Thomas Juneau
“This is the first time the United States has carried out attacks against the Houthis in Yemen […] “Doing nothing was a very bad option,” emphasizes Thomas Juneau, professor and author of the book “Yemen at War.”
The United States had already deployed warships in December and formed an international coalition to protect maritime traffic in the area, which accounts for 12% of world trade.
telegram
Some ships are now bypassing the area, which has driven up transport costs between Europe and Asia.
Numerous supports
According to US media, fighter jets and Tomahawk missiles were used in the cross-border offensive.
They targeted radars and drone and missile infrastructure to reduce their ability to attack merchant ships in the Red Sea, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement.
“Our goal remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea,” said a joint statement from the United States, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea and the United Kingdom and Bahrain.
The British press, for its part, claims that British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak gave his consent to strikes.
Yemen rebel leader Abdel Malek al-Houthi had previously threatened to respond to any American attack in the Red Sea with even “more important” operations than Tuesday's particularly serious one.
These involved 18 drones and three missiles, which were then shot down by fighter jets from the American aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower, three American destroyers and a British warship, the HMS Diamond.
We do not yet know the consequences of these attacks, but civilian casualties are expected.
– With Agence France-Presse