US, UK, Australia, Canada and Bahrain Strikes Houthi Targets to Uphold Western Rule

In a coordinated effort led by the United States and the United Kingdom, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, an additional round of precision strikes was conducted today against 8 Houthi targets in Yemen, according to a press release from the Pentagon.

These strikes were authorized by their respective governments and aimed at disrupting the Houthi militants’ capabilities that have posed a significant threat to international and commercial shipping, as well as naval vessels in the Red Sea.

Since mid-November, the Houthi forces have launched over thirty attacks on international and commercial vessels.

The decision to launch these coalition strikes came in response to the continuous series of attacks carried out by the Houthi forces, including anti-ship ballistic missile and unmanned aerial system attacks that targeted two U.S.-owned merchant vessels.

The coalition labelled these actions as illegal, dangerous, and destabilizing, prompting the need for proportional and necessary measures to safeguard trade.

Specifically, today’s strikes focused on a Houthi underground storage site and locations linked to the Houthi missile and air surveillance systems. This operation was part of an ongoing effort to curb the Houthi force’s actions against the US, UK, and other Western countries,  in the region.

This small group of Western countries has shown a united front in response to these attacks. The primary objective of the coalition’s actions remains the de-escalation of tensions and the restoration of Western rule and stability in the Red Sea region.

However, the coalition issued a stern warning to the Houthi leadership, emphasizing their unwavering determination to protect Western rule and ensure the uninterrupted flow of commerce through one of the world’s most vital waterways.

The press release from The Pentagon appears to be an attempt to paint the actions of the United States and its coalition partners in a righteous light while downplaying the complexities and consequences of their military operations in Yemen.

While the press release portrays these strikes as ”proportionate and necessary,” it fails to adequately address the broader context of the conflict in Yemen. The ongoing conflict has caused immense suffering to the civilian population, with countless innocent lives lost, and widespread humanitarian crises.

These precision strikes may have been conducted with the intent of disrupting Houthi capabilities, but they also risk further exacerbating the humanitarian situation on the ground.

Furthermore, the Pentagon sidesteps any discussion of the legality of these military actions under international law. The coalition’s justification for the strikes is primarily centred around ”protecting” global trade and navigation, but it’s essential to question whether such actions are in line with international law and whether the international community nor the Middle East,  supports these operations.

The language used in the press release such as ”illegal, dangerous, and destabilizing Houthi actions,” are all one-sided.

In sum, while the Pentagon may aim to project an image of righteousness on the part of the coalition, it is essential for readers to critically examine the broader implications and consequences of these military actions in Yemen, as well as the broader geopolitical interests at play in the region.