According to Iranian official media, Iran criticized the US-UK attack on Houthis in Yemen on Friday, warning that it will increase “insecurity and instability” in the region.”We strongly condemn the military attacks carried out this morning by the United States and the United Kingdom on several cities in Yemen,” Iran’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Nasser Kannani told Reuters.
The attacks violated Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and international law, he claimed.
“These attacks are a clear violation of Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and a breach of international laws,” Reuters said.
After US and UK airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen, these comments were made. This is the first military engagement in the country since the Iran-backed organization began attacking Red Sea ships in late 2023.
US President Joe Biden stated late Thursday night that he will take more steps if necessary.
“These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation,” stated Biden.
Britain’s Ministry of Defence claimed “early indications are that the Houthis’ ability to threaten merchant shipping has taken a blow.”
A Houthi spokesperson acknowledged “raids” in Sanaa, Saada, Dhamar, and Hodeidah governorate. Officials called these acts “American-Zionist-British aggression.”
Witnesses told Reuters that Thursday’s airstrikes targeted a military base near Sanaa airport, a military site near Taiz airport, a Houthi naval station in Hodeidah, and military targets in Hajjah. Current airstrikes show the rapid escalation of tensions between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East since October.
A US official told Reuters that aircraft, ships, and submarines carried out the airstrikes. The official said over a dozen targets were targeted, underlining that the strikes were not symbolic but meant to weaken the Houthis’ military.
The Houthis, who rule most of Yemen, ignored UN and other appeals to stop missile and drone attacks on Red Sea maritime lines. Houthi rebels defied US warnings about potential consequences.
The Houthis have assaulted 27 ships, interrupting 15% of global marine activity on the Europe-Asia route. The rebel organization will strike any Israeli or Israeli-bound ship. However, several targeted ships had no Israeli ties.
The Houthis say their attacks boost Gaza’s Hamas.
