US and UK Launch Airstrikes Against Houthis in Yemen Following Red Sea Attacks
Written by Sanjay Kumar
In a significant development amid the escalating crisis in oil-rich West Asia, a coalition backed by the United States and including the United Kingdom executed airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen. The military intervention came as a response to a series of Red Sea attacks by the Houthi insurgents, causing disruptions in commercial shipping and raising concerns about the stability of the region.
President Joe Biden asserted that the airstrikes aimed to convey a clear message that the United States and its allies “will not tolerate” Houthi attacks on the Red Sea. Simultaneously, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak released a statement characterizing the airstrikes as “necessary and proportionate.” He emphasized the defensive nature of the action, stating, “Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea. We have, therefore, taken limited, necessary, and proportionate action in self-defense, alongside the United States, to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping.”
The roots of the conflict can be traced back to concerns over potential spillover from the war between Benjamin Netanyahu’s Israel and Hamas fighters in Gaza. The U.S. had issued warnings during Israel’s relentless airstrike campaign in the densely populated Gaza Strip. The airstrikes in Yemen were deemed essential to prevent further disruptions caused by Houthi attacks on commercial shipping routes.
Notably, the repercussions of the military intervention were felt in the global oil market. According to a Bloomberg report, oil prices experienced a notable surge following the joint U.S.-UK airstrikes on Houthi rebels. This development reflects the intricate interplay between geopolitical tensions and the energy market.
Houthi rebels had been launching attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea for several weeks, including their largest barrage ever of drones and missiles. The attacks had reached a scale where major shipping companies, exemplified by Maersk, had ceased operations in the Red Sea. In response to these provocations, U.S.-led forces initiated retaliatory strikes early on Friday.
Moreover, on the same day as the airstrikes, Iran’s navy captured an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman. This vessel, previously known as the Suez Rajan, had been involved in a year-long dispute in 2021, during which the U.S. Justice Department seized one million barrels of Iranian crude oil from it. The incident underscores the broader tensions in the region and the complex web of geopolitical dynamics.
The Houthis have attempted to justify their attacks by claiming that they aim to halt the suffering of Palestinians in Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. However, the rebels’ recent targets have expanded to include ships with tenuous or no ties to Israel, raising questions about the broader motivations behind their actions.
This series of events adds another layer of complexity to the already volatile global oil market. While tensions in the Middle East have supported crude oil prices, concerns about rising non-OPEC supply, Saudi Arabia’s deep pricing cuts, and expanding U.S. stockpiles have exerted downward pressure on prices, according to reports by Bloomberg. The situation remains fluid, with geopolitical developments continuing to play a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of energy markets in the near term.
