The United States and Great Britain last night launched a major attack against Houthi rebels in Yemen. The aim is to stop attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. Yemen attacks ships bound for Israel in response to Israel’s warfare against Hamas. – There is an ongoing low-intensity conflict that is spreading to neighboring countries. The basic conflict is happening in Gaza, and we must do everything to resolve it, says Eide to news. The Americans and the British attacked Yemen with planes, ships and submarines. Witnesses say they have heard several explosions in Yemen’s capital Sana. Norway’s foreign minister says it is not acceptable for Yemen to attack shipping in the Red Sea and that it is important to ensure free civilian shipping in the Red Sea. ATTACK: A British Defense Force plane taking off from a base in Cyprus. On the night of Friday, a series of attacks were carried out against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Photo: Reuters – The UN Security Council has been clear that the Houthis must stop this. That is the starting point. But the Americans want to avoid a major regional conflict of which they will be part, says Eide. – Norway not involved Norway also contributes to the work to secure ship traffic with military experts, but did not contribute to the attack on Yemenite soil last night. – The Foreign Ministry has communicated to the Houthis and Iran, which supports Yemen, that this is a bad idea that could have consequences, says Eide. The war in Gaza is the source of what is happening, and you cannot stop the escalation until you tackle this problem, according to Eide. The Norwegian Shipping Association hopes that the night’s attack will reduce the ability to continue attacks on civilian shipping. Fear of escalation The fear is that the war between Israel and Hamas will escalate, something the Americans have said they want to avoid. Saudi Arabia says in a statement on Friday that it asks the parties to restrain themselves. At the same time, the US accuses Iran of supporting Yemen with weapons that are used to attack ships in the Red Sea. Iran says last night’s attack threatens security and stability in the region. Iran supports both Hamas and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia, which in turn supports Hamas. At the same time, the tension between Israel and Hezbollah is at boiling point with daily skirmishes between the parties on the border between Israel and Lebanon, as a direct result of the war in Gaza. Senior lecturer in Middle Eastern studies at the University of Oslo, Dag Henrik Tuastad, tells news that the reaction against the Houthis is as expected: – It is clear that there is a danger of expansion, but it can go either way: the attacks can lead to an escalation and more attacks, but they may also cause the Houthis to limit themselves. Senior lecturer Dag Henrik Tuastad Photo: UIO / Tuastad believes the major danger for escalation in the area lies in the relationship between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. – Now most indications are that Hezbollah wants a mini-war, not a full-scale war. But in Israel they are discussing taking out Hezbollah completely, and there is a fear in the US that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a vested interest in expanding the war, says Tuastad. He tells news that the reaction against the Houthis is as expected: – It is clear that there is a danger of expansion, but it can go both ways: the attacks can lead to an escalation and more attacks, but they can also lead to the Houthis limiting themselves . Tuastad believes the major danger of escalation in the area lies in the relationship between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. – Now most indications are that Hezbollah wants a mini-war, not a full-scale war. But in Israel they are discussing taking out Hezbollah completely, and there is a fear in the US that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a vested interest in expanding the war, says Tuastad. Photo taken on the bridge of the British naval vessel HMS Diamond, which is in the Red Sea, earlier this week. Photo: The British Ministry of Defense via AP / NTB Sharp reactions The extent of the damage or the death toll is not clear after the night’s attack. A spokesman for Yemen’s Houthi government called the attack barbaric and said attacks on ships bound for Israel would continue. Iran, which supports Yemen, strongly condemns the attack, saying it is an attack on Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Iran believes the attack threatens stability in the region. Russia now accuses the United States and Britain of what it calls a destructive escalation in Yemen. The Russians are now asking for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the US and UK attack on Yemen. China says it is concerned after the airstrikes on Yemen. While France believes it is the Houthis who must bear responsibility for the escalation. Hamas has also issued a condemnation of the attack on Yemen. Yama Wolasmal on the situation in the Middle East right now A direct response – These attacks are a direct response to the huge Houthi attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea, says Biden. He says he will not hesitate to introduce more measures to protect human life and ensure free trade. According to Biden, Australia, the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain contributed support. The Houthi militia has since 3 December attacked civilian and military ships in the Red Sea, in solidarity with Palestinians. The militia receives support from Iran, which also supports Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The militia has been clear that all ships, regardless of nationality, on their way to or with ties to Israel are targets. Read also: The British call the attack self-defence A British statement states that the results of the attacks must be reviewed. But there are indications that the Houthis’ ability to threaten shipping traffic “is affected”, according to the British. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calls the attack necessary. – Despite repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued with their attacks in the Red Sea. We have therefore taken limited, necessary and proportionate measures in self-defence, together with the USA, to weaken the Houthis’ military capacity and protect global shipping, says Sunak. Several cities attacked A spokesman for the Houthi rebels confirms that they are under attack and says that in addition to the capital, attacks have been carried out against the cities of Hodeidah, Saada and Dhamar. Houthi spokesman Abdul Qader al-Mortada calls it American-Zionist-British aggression against Yemen. The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have themselves been attacking shipping in the Red Sea for several weeks. The attack from the USA and Great Britain takes place a day after the UN Security Council demanded that the attacks on ships in the Red Sea must stop.
ttn-69