Houthis Threaten More Attacks Against Western Warships

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Facts

  • Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Wednesday vowed to target all US and British warships operating in waters near Yemen 'within the right of legitimate self-defence' of their country.1
  • The warning has come after the two countries, part of a naval coalition established last December to patrol the Red Sea following escalated Houthi attacks on commercial shipping, continue to strike Houthi sites in Yemen.2
  • Meanwhile, the Yemeni Armed Forces have claimed that the country's naval forces had fired 'several' missiles at a US Navy destroyer, adding that such operations will continue until Israel halts military operations and eases restrictions on humanitarian aid for Gaza.3
  • On Wednesday, US officials acknowledged that the USS Gravely had to use its 'Close-In Weapon System' to down a cruise missile they alleged was launched into the Red Sea but came within a mile of the warship on Tuesday night.4
  • Later, the Houthis said that they attacked a US merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden 'with several appropriate naval missiles.' However, it turned out to be a Liberian-flagged container ship reportedly operated by a UK-based company.5
  • Meanwhile, the EU has said it could approve a naval mission in the Red Sea by Feb. 19 to help protect cargo ships from the continued Houthi attacks.6

Sources: 1The Telegraph, 2Al Jazeera, 3PressTV, 4CNN, 5Reuters and 6Associated Press.

Narratives

  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Farsnews Agency. Houthis have legitimately carried out attacks against Israeli-owned ships and merchant vessels heading to Israel-occupied Palestine in open support for people in Gaza suffering under Tel Aviv's brutal campaign. Yet, the US and UK claim that their forces are entitled to violate international law and strike Yemen as if their aggression would be enough to undermine the moral fiber of the Houthis.
  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Lieber Institute - West Point. It's not the Houthis but the US and UK that have been acting in self-defense in the Red Sea. While the UN Security Council Resolution 2722 doesn't authorize the use of force against the Iran-backed militants, the Houthis forced the countries to take action only after their missiles directly attacked American and British warships and aircraft.

Predictions