In the wake of a series of coordinated airstrikes by the United Kingdom and the United States against Iranian-backed Houthi forces in Yemen, concerns about a potential regional conflict escalating to World War Three are growing.
The strikes, aimed at deterring threats, have sparked fears of a broader war, particularly in light of the Houthis’ swift vow to retaliate against US and UK warships in the Red Sea.
The response from the militants and their primary supporter, Tehran, will be a critical factor in determining the future course of events.
The Houthi threat raises the spectre of direct confrontation between the Western allies and Iran, a scenario both sides have expressed a desire to avoid but that is raising concerns across the world.
The situation represents the most serious expansion of violence in the region since Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza following the terrorist attacks on October 7.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak defended the intervention as “limited, necessary, and proportionate action in self-defence”. The operation involved Royal Air Force Typhoon jets and US warplanes, warships, and a submarine equipped with precision-guided missiles and bombs. Support was also extended by Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands.
The UK specified the use of Paveway IV bombs against Houthi facilities in north-west Yemen (Bani) and an airfield at Abbs.
The latter had been used for launching reconnaissance and attack drones and firing cruise missiles and drones over the Red Sea, according to the Ministry of Defence.
President Joe Biden warned of further action if threats to global shipping persisted, emphasising the commitment to protecting people and international commerce.
The decision to conduct the night raid against Yemen became inevitable after the Houthi group, armed by Iran, continued attacking ships in the Red Sea despite warnings issued on January 3 by the UK, the US, and 12 other nations.
The Houthis had been targeting ships associated with Israel, protesting the conflict in Gaza and vowing to disrupt maritime traffic until the war’s end.
The international coalition, led by the US, found itself in a situation where failure to respond would have portrayed them as weak and their warnings as meaningless.
The high-stakes intervention in Yemen, amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, is a delicate balancing act. Striking the Houthis too forcefully risks significant retaliation from their supporters, particularly Iran. On the other hand, a less robust intervention might fail to sufficiently degrade Houthi military capabilities and deter future attacks on international shipping.
