Summary
U.S. airstrikes on Houthi-held areas of Yemen killed at least 31 and injured 101, according to the Houthi health ministry.
The strikes followed renewed Houthi attacks on shipping, which they say are in response to Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
A Houthi spokesperson vowed retaliation, stating, “Our response will not be delayed.” Trump warned Iran to stop supporting the Houthis, while Iran distanced itself from the group.
The conflict has disrupted Red Sea shipping, prompting the U.S. to redesignate the Houthis as a terrorist organization earlier this month.
What do you imagine happens when a ship violates a blockade? Because I doubt they just get a slap on the wrist.
So first, the claim they’re a “violent rebel group” is based on the American claim that their preferred government is the legitimate government of Yemen. That aside the Houthi blockade is meant to force Israel to let aid into Gaza, not just “punish them”. If that’s terrorism then every act of war is terrorism.
Heh. They were once considered American allies. Until we didn’t need their help anymore.
It might be a blockade if they were attempting to block arms or other goods to Israel, but they have long since abandoned that pretense.
By international law, a blockade must be enforced by naval ships, and violating vessels must be duly warned before being boarded and redirected. The crew and cargo may be captured or released according to the relevant laws.
They are just launching rockets at any vessel in range.
Even if you somehow consider the Houthis the legitimate government of Yemen (I think maybe Iran and a few others do), that just makes it state terrorism.
Okay so I brushed up on the Houthi blockade and fair enough, I have no idea what the hell these guys are doing. I was going to argue that it’s at least mostly targeted (in which case I’d have said the ends justify the means) but it’s just not so I’ll have to concede this one.