The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced this morning (February 4) that it had joined the British military in carrying out strikes on 36 Houthi targets at 13 locations in Yemen. The strikes destroyed underground weapons storage facilities, missile systems, command and control centers, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) storage facilities, radars and helicopters.
Second retaliation
This is the second large-scale US operation against Iran-linked organizations, in response to attacks on international shipping and US forces in the region, including one that killed US soldiers in Jordan on January 28. In the campaign that began on February 2, the US launched more than 125 weapons at more than 85 targets belonging to armed groups in Iraq and Syria accused of being behind the Jordan attack.
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In a statement yesterday, CENTCOM said the US and UK airstrikes were in response to the Houthis’ illegal and destabilizing activities, including repeated missile and UAV launches against international commercial vessels and US warships in the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden. In addition, CENTCOM said it had carried out a self-defense strike and destroyed a Houthi cruise missile that was being prepared to be launched at ships in the Red Sea.
Fighter jets take off from US aircraft carrier to bomb Houthi on February 3
Since the conflict between Hamas and Israel erupted in October 2023, US and allied forces in the Middle East have been hit by more than 165 attacks, and Washington has responded. However, the attack in Jordan that killed three US soldiers and injured more than 40 others was seen as the last straw, putting the White House under pressure from Congress to take stronger action. The US accused Iran-backed militias of being behind it, while Tehran denied any involvement. White House officials said the strong response would come in several phases, but also stressed that they did not want a wider conflict in the Middle East or a war with Iran.
The Iraqi and Syrian governments have condemned the US action on February 2, while Iran warned that retaliation would only increase tensions and instability. According to CNN, the United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on February 5 at Russia's request to discuss the US airstrikes in Iraq and Syria.
Waiting for Iran's move
As the parties assess the damage, the question is whether Iran will retaliate or accept de-escalation.
According to an analysis by The New York Times , the expectation of the US and its allies is that Iran will choose the latter, seeing no benefit in engaging in a "tit-for-tat" with a much larger opponent, accompanied by potential risks. However, it is not certain whether Iran's proxy groups will accept this option. After the second round of bombing last night, Houthi spokesman Nasr al-Din Amer said that Western forces would not be safe without peace for Yemen, Palestine and the Gaza Strip. "We will respond to escalation with escalation," the official declared.
Famine rages in Gaza
According to CNN national security analyst Peter Bergen, professor at Arizona State University, Washington's response is unlikely to stop Iranian proxy groups from attacking US targets and maritime activities in the region, as seen after many previous US airstrikes. The expert suggested that the only way to reduce the possibility of a wider conflict in the region is for the US to focus on solving the underlying cause, which is the war in the Gaza Strip.
US House of Representatives unveils Israel aid bill
The Republican-controlled US House of Representatives has unveiled a $17.6 billion military aid bill for Israel that does not include aid for Ukraine, Taiwan and border issues like the bill that Senate Democrats are about to introduce. According to CNN, the bill will be brought to the full House for a vote next week. House Speaker Mike Johnson urged senators to abandon efforts to link Israel aid to other issues.
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