Yemen's Houthis vow response after US, British strikes

On February 4, the United States and Britain conducted strikes on 36 Houthi targets in Yemen, marking the second day of major U.S. operations against Iran-linked groups. The strikes targeted buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems, launchers, and other capabilities used by the Houthis to attack Red Sea shipping. The Pentagon stated that it aimed at 13 locations across the country.

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The conflict in Yemen has escalated, with the latest strikes being part of ongoing retaliation for a deadly attack on American troops. The Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Sarea, warned of a response and consequences, emphasizing that the attacks will not go unanswered.

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The situation in the region has become more complex, involving various actors, including Iran-backed groups. The U.S. retaliation also extends to Iraq and Syria, targeting over 85 locations linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and militias it supports.

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The Houthi attacks are viewed as part of a broader conflict that began with the Hamas-Israel conflict, spreading into the Middle East. Major shipping lines have diverted from Red Sea shipping lanes, causing concerns about global trade and inflation. The U.S. has conducted multiple strikes against Houthi targets in recent weeks.

Despite the escalating tensions, Iran has maintained a cautious approach, avoiding direct military confrontation. Iran criticized the U.S. and Britain for violating international law with the attacks on Yemen, emphasizing the threat to international peace and security.

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The Houthi spokesperson reiterated their commitment to supporting the Palestinian people in Gaza, stating that the attacks will not deter them from their ethical, religious, and humanitarian stance.

British Defence Minister Grant Shapps downplayed the strikes as not being an escalation, expressing confidence that the latest attacks have further degraded the Houthi capabilities.

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In Iraq, the U.S. strikes resulted in the deadliest incident in years, leading to a funeral procession for 17 members of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). Iraqi officials, close to Iran, called for the ousting of U.S. forces, criticizing their presence as "pure evil" for the Iraqi people.

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Oman expressed grave concerns over the continuous escalation in the region, criticizing the effectiveness of U.S. retaliatory attacks and highlighting the impact on safety, stability, and efforts to tackle challenges like violence and extremism.

अमेरिकी, ब्रिटिश हमलों के बाद यमन के हौथिस ने प्रतिक्रिया की प्रतिज्ञा की