“Aggression”, “act of terrorism”, “violation of international law”: Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah have strongly condemned the attacks by the USA and Great Britain on Houthi positions in Yemen. The militia itself announced retaliation.
The attacks by the USA, Great Britain and other countries on Houthi positions in Yemen have triggered a violent reaction in numerous Arab countries, especially among the allies of the Shiite militia. With the military strikes following repeated attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea, concerns are growing that the situation in the region will further escalate.
Iran, which supports the Houthis in Yemen, strongly condemned the attacks. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani spoke of an “arbitrary action”, a “violation” of international law and a violation of Yemen’s sovereignty.
The powerful Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, which, like the Houthis, is part of the Iran-backed regional alliance called the “Axis of Resistance,” spoke of “American aggression,” which once again confirmed “that the United States is a full partner in the tragedies and massacres carried out by the Zionist enemy in the Gaza Strip and the region”. Both Iran and the Houthi militia are enemies of Israel.
The Palestinian terrorist militia Hamas also condemned the bombings in Yemen as “blatant aggression” against the country’s sovereignty. It was an “unpredictable act of terrorism,” Hamas said on Telegram.
Russia calls Emergency meeting of the UNSecurity Council a
Jordan warned of an escalation of tensions in the Middle East and blamed Israel for the current developments. His government is following the situation in the Red Sea region and its impact on regional security with concern, the state news agency quoted Foreign Minister Ajman Safadi as saying. The failure of the international community to stop Israel’s “extremist” policies and “aggression” against the Palestinians endangers security in the region and threatens to push the Middle East into further conflict and war.
Russia called the attacks on the Houthi positions a “complete disregard for international law.” The Anglo-Saxon countries escalated the situation in the region “for the sake of their destructive goals,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on Telegram.
At her weekly press conference, Zakharova said: “We condemn the irresponsible actions of the United States and its allies.” She called on the international community to join in. Russia requested a special meeting of the UN Security Council in New York on Friday because of the attacks.
Houthi: Five members killed
The USA and Great Britain bombed Houthi positions in Yemen on Friday night with support from, among others, the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain. The attack is a response to the Houthis’ “illegal, dangerous and destabilizing” attacks on ships in the Red Sea and is based on the right of self-defense, according to a joint statement, which is also supported by the federal government.
The Houthis themselves threatened retaliation after the attacks. “The American and British enemies bear full responsibility for their criminal aggression against our Yemeni people,” Houthi military spokesman Jahia Saree said in a video address. The incident will not go unanswered.
Seventy-three attacks hit five regions of the country controlled by the Houthis, he said. He did not say exactly what was attacked. Five members were killed and six others were injured in the bombing. Despite the military strike, the militia announced that it would continue to attack ships in the Red Sea.
Austin: “Clear signal”
US President Joe Biden called the overnight attacks in a statement a “direct response to the Houthis’ unprecedented attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea.” He added that he would not hesitate to order further measures to protect people and the free flow of trade.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin described the bombings as a clear signal. “Today’s coalition deployment sends a clear message to the Houthis that they will pay a price if they do not stop their illegal attacks,” the Pentagon said in a statement.
Germany supports military action
Numerous Western countries supported the campaign. “The reaction has our political support,” said Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock after a meeting with Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan in the capital Kuala Lumpur. When asked how the federal government wanted to participate in securing shipping in the Red Sea and when a decision would be made, Baerbock said that the European Union is currently examining at high speed “how we ourselves can strengthen the stabilization in the Red Sea and contribute to this stabilization can contribute”. This must be decided jointly within the European framework.
France calls on the Houthis to immediately stop attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea. At the same time, the Foreign Ministry in Paris blamed the Houthi militia for the escalation of tensions. The Houthis bear “grave responsibility for the escalation in the region,” the ministry said in a statement.
Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen also supported the military strike by the USA and Great Britain. The Houthis must not succeed in displacing international shipping traffic from the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.
Anne Allmeling, ARD Cairo, tagesschau, January 12, 2024 12:04 p.m