Fears of an all-out regional war in the Middle East are growing as Houthi rebels claim the US and UK will pay a “heavy price” by attacking more than a dozen targets in Yemen. .
In a recorded speech, Houthi military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Salih said 73 airstrikes hit five areas under Yemeni control on Thursday, killing at least five people and killing six others. said he was injured.
“The enemies of the United States and the United Kingdom bear full responsibility for their criminal aggression against our Yemeni people and will not go unanswered or punished.”
Hussein al-Ezzi, a senior Houthi official, also Said in a Google Translate post about X“The United States and Britain will undoubtedly have to pay a heavy price and be prepared to bear all the dire consequences of this blatant invasion.”
Separately, Mohamed Abdulsalam, chief negotiator and spokesperson for Iran's funding group, said the US and UK had “committed folly with this treacherous invasion”.
“If you thought Yemen could block aid to Palestine and Gaza, you were mistaken,” he said, adding that the group would continue to target “Israeli vessels and vessels bound for ports in occupied Palestine.” I swore.
But in recent weeks, Islamic extremist groups have targeted ships with little or no ties to Israel.
Their activities have brought commerce in the region to a standstill and forced some of the world's largest shipping companies to suspend operations in the Red Sea, through which about 12% of global trade passes.
President Biden said in a statement that Thursday's joint U.S.-British strike on Yemen was intended to be a “direct response” to those maritime attacks.
“These attacks endanger U.S. military personnel, civilian sailors, and our partners, endanger trade, and threaten freedom of navigation,” he said.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also spoke for the first time since his secret hospitalization, warning of “further costs” if Houthi rebels do not stop attacking ships in the Red Sea.
“Today's coalition action sends a clear message to the Houthis that if they do not stop their illegal attacks, they will pay the cost.” Said In a statement.
“The United States maintains the right of self-defense and will take additional actions to protect our forces as necessary,” he said.
“We will not hesitate to protect our military, the global economy, and the free flow of legitimate commerce in one of the world's most viral waterways.”
But Yemeni analysts say the strikes will only strengthen the Houthis' popularity in the region and support for Hamas.
Hundreds of people had already gathered at a rally on Friday, chanting “God is great, God is great.” Death to America. Death to Israel. Curse the Jews. It's a victory for Islam. ”
Hezbollah, which continues to engage Israeli troops in a barrage of attacks on the Jewish nation's northern border, also issued a statement saying it “strongly condemns” the move.[ed] “The open aggression of the United States and the United Kingdom” “reaffirms that the United States is a full partner in the tragedy and atrocities committed by Zionist enemies in Gaza and the region,” it said.
“It is this organization that continues to support its machine of murder and destruction, concealing its aggression and crimes and attacks on all who support the oppressed Palestinian people throughout the region,” the terrorist organization said. Stated. According to the Guardian.
Iranian officials also issued a statement calling the attack “a clear violation of Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity and a violation of international law.”
“Such attacks will only lead to a worsening of security and instability in the region,” they warned.
Comes with post wire.
