Yesterday (March 17), Al Jazeera reported that the Houthi military force in Yemen announced an attack on a US naval ship.
President Trump looks at images of US military firing on Houthi on March 15
Trump ordered the strikes on March 15 after the Houthis said they would continue to attack Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea as Israel continues to blockade the Gaza Strip. Washington said the Houthi attacks would continue until the group stops attacking ships in the Red Sea. The Houthis said the US strikes killed 53 people. Meanwhile, crude oil prices rose after the military operations.
The force called it "retaliation" for the US attacks that were launched on March 15 under the orders of President Trump against Houthi facilities in Yemen. Specifically, the Houthi spokesman announced that 18 missiles and drones were launched to attack the USS Harry Truman aircraft carrier strike group (US). Meanwhile, on the night of March 16, the US military also continued to attack the Houthi forces.
Not just putting pressure on Houthi
Responding to Thanh Nien last night (March 17), Mr. Carl O. Schuster (former Director of Operations of the Joint Intelligence Center - Pacific Command of the US Navy and currently teaching at the University of Hawaii - Pacific on international relations) assessed: "President Trump ordered a large-scale attack on the Houthis because the limited attacks of his predecessor Joe Biden did not have a lasting impact to prevent the Houthis from attacking ships in the Red Sea. The new owner of the White House is sending a message to the Houthis that they will suffer if they continue to attack ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Mr. Trump also wants to send a message to Iran that if they support the Houthis, they will also face a strong response."
"President Trump has also restored some harsh sanctions on Iran, which Biden lifted in the hope that Tehran would de-escalate. But Biden's policies have given Iran more resources to support some friendly forces in the Middle East. Israel's near-destruction of much of Hezbollah's power and Iran's failure to support Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria show that Tehran's resources are gradually decreasing," said former Colonel Schuster.
The situation in the Middle East is unstable, but Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran are on the defensive, he said. So President Trump is letting them know that the US will no longer resort to half-measures. If these forces provoke Washington under Trump, they will face strong military action and increased economic measures.
"So far, Mr. Trump's actions have received the support of Saudi Arabia and the UAE. He is forcing Iran to choose between continuing the war with the West, or suffering serious damage to both its military strength and its economy, and its reputation in the region," said expert Schuster.
Multi-target arrows?
Also responding to Thanh Nien yesterday (March 17), Professor Yoichiro Sato (international relations expert, Ritsumeikan Asia-Pacific University, Japan) commented: "The attack on Houthi was carried out under the pretext of ensuring maritime security in the Red Sea and Suez Canal. Recently, Iran has been accused of providing drones and weapons to Houthi. This is believed to be part of Tehran's strategy to challenge the security efforts of Washington and its allies in the region. Therefore, Mr. Trump's actions are in line with the interests of Saudi Arabia, because Houthi has subdued the Yemeni regime, which is supported by Saudi Arabia. Recently, Saudi Arabia coordinated with Mr. Trump to organize a conference to negotiate a ceasefire for the Ukraine conflict. Therefore, the attack on Houthi can also be seen as a way for the US to "pay back" Saudi Arabia."
Map of US attack on Houthi on March 15
GRAPHICS: SYNTHESIS
"The situation in the Middle East remains very unstable, even chaotic. This region attracts the attention of the US, especially when Washington is trying to balance the broad strategy between the Atlantic and the Pacific. Iran's cooperation with both Russia and China in the expanded BRICS bloc has helped some countries in this bloc cope with Western economic sanctions. So the US attack on the Houthis can also be seen as a sign of the ongoing tit-for-tat proxy war between the parties," Professor Sato further analyzed.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/van-bai-quan-su-moi-cua-tong-thong-trump-185250318000637653.htm
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