Janice R. Andrews
The US military launched more strikes against Houthi antiship missiles in Yemen as part of an ongoing campaign to thwart Houthi aggression. The action, which started at 2:30 am on Wednesday, was to eliminate the immediate threat that the missiles inflicted in Houthi-controlled territory posed. As a self-defense measure, the US military’s Central Command said that two missiles were destroyed.
The Houthis, who are affiliated with Iran, have been waging a sustained campaign of attacks against Red Sea ships. Since January 11, the US has stepped up its efforts to destroy missiles, drones, coastal radar, air surveillance capabilities, missile launch and deployment sites, and weapons storage regions in retaliation for the Iran-backed militia.
At the same time, US forces in Iraq attacked locations frequented by armed groups supported by Iran, such as the Kataib Hezbollah militia. The strikes were announced by US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, who emphasised their proportionality and need in response to increasing attacks on US and Coalition soldiers in Syria and Iraq. The latest attack happened after an assault on the Ain al-Asad airfield caused traumatic brain damage to four US servicemen.
Jaafar al-Husseini, the military spokesperson for Kataib Hezbollah, singled out US assistance for Israel’s war and said that the organisation would continue to target “enemy bases” until Israel’s siege of Gaza ended. According to reports, the strikes in Iraq caused at least two casualties in the al-Qaim and Jurf al-Sakhar areas.
The US attack was denounced by the Iraqi army, which said it undermined stability and security in the nation. The invasion of Iraq’s sovereignty and the careless escalation at a crucial regional situation were stressed by Major General Yahya Rasool. Qasim al-Araji, the national security adviser to Iraq, blasted the United States for bombing and targeting the bases of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an alliance that is integrated with Iraq’s armed forces and is affiliated with Iran.
Reports indicate that in the middle of these events, the US has asked China for help in pressuring Iran to put an end to the Houthi rebels. Nevertheless, despite the US’s persistent diplomatic efforts, there is little sign that China is actively pressuring Iran to rein in the Houthis.
China’s limited influence over Iran’s assistance for the Houthi rebels is a concern that Secretary of State Antony Blinken brought up with his Chinese counterpart. The US is still navigating the intricate dynamics of the area, dealing with both direct dangers and more significant geopolitical obstacles.
