Furious Houthi Rebels Threaten UK and US After Airstrikes in Yemen
In a dramatic escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, British and American forces carried out airstrikes, launching over 100 missiles at more than 60 targets in Houthi-held territories in Yemen.
In response, Houthi rebel leaders have issued a stern warning, vowing to make the UK and US “pay a heavy price.” Military experts, however, question the rebels’ capability to cause significant damage, emphasizing the superiority of the UK and US naval defenses.
Limited Impact Expected from Houthi Retaliation
Despite the Houthi rebels’ threats, military analysts, including Admiral Lord West and Charlie Herbert, express skepticism about the rebels’ ability to inflict substantial damage.
The experts suggest that the rebels may resort to firing drones and missiles at ships, but the advanced air defenses of the UK and US naval forces are expected to counteract such attacks effectively.
Concerns of a ‘Lucky Strike’ and Potential Devastation
Alan Mendoza, the Executive Director of the think tank Henry Jackson Society, acknowledges a slim chance of devastating damage resulting from a “lucky strike” using anti-ship ballistic missiles.
While recognizing the rebels’ potential for more attacks, Mendoza highlights the superior capabilities of UK and US naval forces in intercepting and neutralizing threats.
Houthi Rebels Expected to Target Red Sea, Posing Threat to Global Trade
Experts anticipate that the Houthi rebels will respond by launching more missiles at vessels sailing through the Red Sea.
This poses a potential threat to global trade, with William Freer, a Research Fellow in National Security at Geostrategy, emphasizing the risk of disrupting crucial trading routes.
UK and US Urged to Expand Targets in Yemen
Admiral Lord West suggests that if the rebels intensify rocket attacks on ships in the region, the UK and US should respond with further strikes on Houthi-led territory in Yemen.
This tit-for-tat approach aims to discourage Houthi actions and underline the wrongfulness of their attacks, which extend beyond Israel to impact global shipping.
Turkish Criticism and NATO’s Defense of Airstrikes
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the UK and US airstrikes, describing them as causing a ‘bloodbath’ in the Red Sea.
In response, NATO defended the strikes, emphasizing their defensive nature aimed at preserving freedom of navigation. The alliance urged Iran to ‘rein in its proxies,’ referring to the Houthi rebels.
Downing Street Rebuts Turkey’s Criticism, NATO Defends Strikes
Downing Street dismissed Turkey’s scathing criticism, asserting that the airstrikes were limited and targeted, responding to aggression in self-defense.
NATO echoed this sentiment, declaring the strikes as defensive measures to protect shipping through the Red Sea.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Airstrike Success
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed confidence in the success of the strikes, aiming to degrade and disrupt the capabilities of the Iran-backed Houthi group.
The strikes targeted launch sites for missiles and drones, contributing to the de-escalation of tensions and the restoration of stability in the region.
Ongoing Threats and Geopolitical Considerations
As tensions persist, experts consider potential retaliatory actions from Houthi rebels, including launching terror attacks.
Geographical challenges, however, may limit the rebels in executing such attacks effectively. The situation remains complex, with geopolitical ramifications and fears of escalating violence in the Middle East.
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