Broad Support from American Lawmakers for US and Allies' Attacks Against Houthis; A Necessary Response to Ongoing Attacks

Several members of the US Congress from both the Democratic and Republican parties issued separate statements on Thursday evening local time, expressing support for allied attacks against the Houthis in Yemen and emphasizing the need for a change in the US government's strategy regarding global terrorism and the Islamic Republic. Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader of the US Senate, stated in his statement: 'I welcome the operations of the United States and the coalition against the Houthi terrorists supported by the Islamic Republic, who are responsible for disrupting international trade in the Red Sea and attacking American ships.' He added: 'I hope these operations represent a lasting change in the Biden administration's approach to the Iranian regime and its proxy forces, and that the leaders of the Islamic Republic come to realize that as long as they do not abandon their global terror campaign, they will pay the price for their actions.' Gregory Meeks, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also supported the Biden administration's targeted attacks against Houthi militants in Yemen, stating: 'These attacks were a necessary response to the ongoing and unjustified Houthi attacks against commercial shipping and innocent forces. While I support these targeted and proportionate military attacks, I urge the Biden administration to continue its diplomatic efforts to prevent escalation into a broader regional war and to continue engaging with Congress.' Roger Wicker, a Republican senator from Mississippi, remarked: 'This attack was delayed for two months, but the first step has been taken to restore deterrence in the Red Sea. It is time to avoid empty rhetoric about joint resolutions and make it clear to the Houthis and other Tehran-backed proxy forces that they will face heavy consequences for escalating tensions in the region.' Ruben Gallego, a senior member of the House Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee, described the joint US and UK airstrikes against Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen as 'a necessity for maintaining stability and security in the Gulf.' Gallego stated: 'The United States has tolerated the Houthis for too long, but terrorism should not have a safe haven anywhere in the world.' However, Val Hoyle, a Democratic representative from Oregon, opposed these attacks, stating: 'These airstrikes did not have congressional authorization. The Constitution makes it clear that only Congress has the authority to permit military intervention in foreign conflicts. Any president must first come to Congress and seek military authorization, regardless of party.' Jason Crow, a Democratic representative from Colorado, also opposed the US and UK attacks on the Houthis, saying: 'I do not support our country being drawn into a wider war.' Additionally, Mark Pocan, a Democratic representative from Wisconsin, stated: 'The government cannot create the risk of the country becoming involved in a conflict without congressional authorization. The White House must coordinate with Congress before continuing these airstrikes in Yemen.' After the Houthis ignored warnings from the US and UK and a UN Security Council resolution, US and UK defense forces targeted positions of this Iran-backed group in the cities of Sana'a, Hodeidah, Saada, and Dhamar in a joint operation early Friday morning local time. The US President confirmed the attacks on Houthi positions in Yemen, stating: 'These attacks were carried out at my direction and successfully, united and decisively, with the presence of US military forces, the UK, and with the support of Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands.' Joe Biden described the purpose of the early morning attacks on Houthi positions as 'ensuring freedom of navigation in one of the world's most vital waterways,' adding: 'These attacks were a direct response to the unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels, including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history in the Red Sea.' A senior official in the Biden administration confirmed hours after the US and UK attacks on Iran-backed Houthi positions that Tehran plays a role in militarily and intelligence equipping the Houthis for attacks on ships in the Red Sea, implying a threat to Iran, stating: 'I do not intend to make public the actions that are to be taken in the future, but I will suffice to say that we hold Iran responsible for the attacks against US forces in the region, and we have warned them that we will take appropriate actions in response to their behavior and actions.' The British newspaper Telegraph reported on Wednesday, January 10, citing its intelligence sources inside Iran, that the Houthi group in Yemen has been trained at the 'Khamenei Marine Sciences and Technologies University' in Ziba Kenar, Rasht, and that Ali Khamenei personally oversees their activities. The Telegraph's report emphasized that Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, has played a 'central and personal' role in the Houthis' actions in the Red Sea and has ordered more weapons and equipment to be provided to this rebel group. A senior official in the Biden administration stated: 'The Islamic Republic has always been a supporter of the Houthis, or rather their main supporter.' The British statement regarding the attack on Houthi positions emphasized that insecurity in international waterways is intolerable. Joe Biden confirmed the attack on Houthi positions in Yemen, stating that the international community's response to this group was 'united and decisive.' The result of the Houthis' insistence on disrupting international shipping was that the positions of this Iran-backed group in Yemen were targeted. France is escorting ships with its interests in the Red Sea. Secretary of State Blinken warned the Islamic Republic that support for the Houthis would have 'consequences.' The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened, despite calls to stop destabilizing actions, stating: 'We will attack the enemy from afar and near.'