Yemen’s Houthis fire missiles at British oil tanker bound for India
Al JazeeraFeb 21
Yemen: US Strikes More Targets, Including Underwater Drone
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Image copyright: MoD Crown Copyright via Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
The US said it launched five airstrikes on Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen over the weekend — targeting three mobile cruise missiles, one unmanned surface vessel, and an unmanned underwater vehicle.
On Sunday, the US Central Command claimed that the weapons posed an "imminent threat" to US Navy ships and commercial vessels in the region. It also said it was the first time the Iran-aligned Houthis deployed an unmanned underwater vehicle since their Red Sea attacks began.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
While the Houthis claim that their operations are only directed against Israeli-linked commercial vessels, their attacks have disrupted maritime trade. Moreover, the Yemeni terrorists are being supported on the ground with weapons and intelligence by Tehran in its asymmetric war against Israel in violation of international law. Should Iran continue with its destabilizing and threatening tactics, the US must also consider direct strikes against the regime.
Establishment-critical narrative
Even the latest illegal aggression against Yemen will not deter the Houthis from continuing to attack the Israeli regime's maritime supply line. The US is deliberately causing the escalation in the Red Sea to distract from its direct support of Israel in its cruel campaign against the people of Gaza. However, Washington's calculation is not working out and instead represents a strategic blunder that only reinforces the regional isolation of the US and Israel.
