Overview of Reactions to US and UK Attacks on Houthi Positions in Yemen

The attacks on Houthi positions supported by the Islamic Republic in Yemen by the United States and the United Kingdom on Friday morning, January 12, have elicited widespread reactions from American political figures and governments around the world. Some American lawmakers reacted, with Mike Johnson, the Republican Speaker of the House, stating that this action by the US and the UK should have been taken long ago and expressed hope that it signifies a "real change in the Biden administration's approach towards Iran and its proxy groups." According to the third most powerful figure in the US government, Iranian officials must understand that there will be a serious cost for their "global terrorist actions and attacks on American personnel and commercial vessels." Ben Cardin, the Democratic Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, welcomed President Joe Biden's decision and that of US partners to act against the "increasingly dangerous provocations" of the Houthis, referring to the escalating Houthi attacks on commercial shipping lines in the Red Sea as well as on US personnel and positions in the region. Jack Reed, the Democratic Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, supported the "necessary and proportional" attacks against the Houthis, stating that this action by the Biden administration carries a "clear message that the United States will continue to take appropriate measures to protect our personnel, our interests, and the freedom of navigation in vital international waterways." Mitch McConnell, the Republican Minority Leader in the Senate, welcomed Biden's decision to attack "Iran-backed Houthi terrorists responsible for violently disrupting international trade in the Red Sea and attacking American ships," expressing hope that this operation would lead to a "sustainable change in the Biden administration's approach towards Iran and its proxy groups." According to Senator McConnell, in order to "restore deterrence" against the Islamic Republic, Iranian leaders must come to believe that if they do not cease their "global terror campaign," they will be forced to pay a "meaningful cost." Lindsey Graham, a prominent Republican senator, stated that it has long been necessary to inform the Islamic Republic that it will be held accountable for the actions of its proxy groups, in this case, the Houthis. Senator Graham emphasized that the Biden administration must continue to use military force against "Iran's aggressions and its proxy groups." Biden's decision to attack the Houthi positions supported by the Islamic Republic was welcomed by several other Republican senators, including Tom Cotton, Joni Ernst, and Rick Scott. Senator Cotton described the attacks on the Houthis as very overdue, reminding that the Biden administration removed this group from the list of foreign terrorist organizations, a designation made by former President Donald Trump. He considered the Islamic Republic of Iran as the source of the Houthis' knowledge for using cruise missiles and suicide drones, recalling the killing of Qassem Soleimani by Donald Trump and also the "sinking of half of Iran's navy" by Ronald Reagan, stating, "Only destructive retaliatory action will deter Iran." Joni Ernst also called the attack on the Houthis overdue, stating they should not have dared to attack American soldiers and global trade. She emphasized, "An Iranian terrorist proxy group must end its attacks." Finally, Rick Scott stated, "Terrorists only understand the language of force." He noted that the attack on the Houthis should have been conducted "weeks ago," adding, "Biden must now act every day to end the ability of the Houthis and Iran-backed terrorists to attack the United States and our partners." After the attacks on Houthi positions on Friday morning, ten countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and South Korea, issued a joint statement referencing previous United Nations Security Council statements condemning Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. They stated that the US and the UK, with the support of the Netherlands, Canada, Bahrain, and Australia, conducted joint attacks against Houthi positions in Yemen "in response to the ongoing illegal, dangerous, and destabilizing attacks by the Houthis." They described the "precise" aim of these attacks as disrupting and degrading the Houthis' ability to threaten global trade and the lives of seafarers in the Red Sea, adding, "Our goal remains to reduce tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, but let our message be clear: we will not hesitate to defend lives and support the free flow of trade in one of the world's most vital waterways against ongoing threats." In this context, David Cameron, the UK Foreign Secretary, considered the "targeted attacks" against the Houthis in Yemen as being in line with "the safety of British ships and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea," stating, "As the United Nations Security Council has made clear, the Houthis must stop their attacks in the Red Sea." Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly and Defense Minister Bill Blair issued a joint statement announcing that Canadian Armed Forces, deployed alongside US Central Command, participated in the targeted attacks against the Houthis. The Canadian ministers described these attacks as consistent with the UN Charter and indicative of the international community's commitment to defending freedom of navigation and international trade in the Red Sea, warning the Houthis that if they do not cease their attacks immediately, they will face consequences. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, through his official account on X (formerly Twitter), expressed support for the targeted attacks against Houthi positions in Yemen, stating, "The ongoing Houthi attacks against shipping in the Red Sea are unacceptable." He added, "Australia, alongside other countries, has supported the US and the UK in conducting attacks to address this threat against global laws and international shipping." Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, in a message on X, stated that the aim of the US and UK attacks on Houthi positions was to eliminate their launch platforms and missile facilities for conducting attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, adding that the joint action by Washington and London is based on the right to self-defense. He emphasized that he supports this targeted operation, referring to the Netherlands' long history in maritime affairs. The Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a statement shortly after the US and UK airstrikes on Houthi-related bases in Yemen, calling for "restraint" and "preventing an escalation of conflicts," stating, "Freedom of navigation is an international demand." It is worth mentioning that Joe Biden announced the purpose of the attacks on Houthi positions as "ensuring freedom of navigation in one of the world's vital waterways," adding, "These attacks are a direct response to the unprecedented Houthi attacks on ships in international routes." He also emphasized that "the purpose of these attacks was to demonstrate that the United States and its allies will not tolerate the Houthis' relentless attacks on the Red Sea." Biden noted that the attacks were conducted only after diplomatic negotiations and careful consideration. Meanwhile, Russia called for an immediate UN Security Council meeting. This country, along with China and two other countries, abstained from voting on the US-proposed resolution in the UN Security Council on Wednesday, January 10. After the resolution was adopted, John Kirby, the White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, stated, "The text of the resolution explicitly calls on the Houthis to cease these attacks and emphasizes the need for the Security Council's support for safe shipping and the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Red Sea." Kirby added, "The United States does not seek conflict and calls for safe and secure passage of commercial vessels through the Red Sea. However, if this is not achieved, we will consult with our partners about further actions as necessary." US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also warned the Houthis and the Islamic Republic on Wednesday that the ongoing Houthi attacks, backed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, on commercial shipping lines in the Red Sea will have "consequences." On Friday, January 12, the US Treasury Department announced in a statement that due to the Iranian government's financial support for the Houthis fueling their relentless attacks against global trade in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, four ships and two other companies would be added to the sanctions list. Brian Nelson, the Deputy Treasury Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, stated, "The United States will continue to act against the illegal financial networks that fund the Houthis and facilitate their attacks." He added, "Together with our allies and partners, we will take all available measures to stop the destabilizing activities of the Houthis and their threats against global trade." Previously, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Treasury Department had sanctioned 13 individuals and entities responsible for providing tens of millions of dollars in currency from the sale and shipment of Iranian goods with the support of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to the Houthis in Yemen. The Treasury Department stated on Thursday, December 7, that these individuals acted through a complex network of exchange houses and companies in various countries, serving as a significant conduit for transferring money from the Islamic Republic to the Houthis in Yemen through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Saeed Jamal, who was previously on the sanctions list. The UK Maritime Security Agency reported that the Houthis mistakenly targeted a tanker carrying Russian oil. Major shipping companies welcomed the US and UK attacks on the Houthis; tankers changed their routes. The Houthis reported that 11 militants were killed and wounded in the US and UK attacks. The US Air Force targeted 60 military objectives of the Houthis in Yemen. The Islamic Republic criticized the US and UK attacks on Houthi positions in Yemen. The commander of CENTCOM stated that the Houthis and their Iranian supporters are responsible for illegal attacks in the region. Airstrikes by the coalition against the Houthis in Yemen; Saudi Arabia called for restraint. Widespread support from American lawmakers for US and allied attacks against the Houthis; a necessary response to ongoing attacks. A senior Biden administration official stated that the Islamic Republic has always been a supporter of the Houthis, and better yet, their main supporter. The UK's statement regarding the attack on Houthi positions; insecurity in international waterways is intolerable. The result of the Houthis' insistence on disrupting international shipping; the positions of this group supported by the Islamic Republic in Yemen were targeted. France escorts its vessels with interests in the Red Sea. Blinken warned the Islamic Republic: support for the Houthis will have "consequences." Associated Press: concerns about the onset of a "full-scale war" in the region have increased. The commander of the IRGC threatened despite calls to stop destabilizing actions: we will attack the enemy "from afar and near." The world’s major container shipping company warned its customers about a potential "major disruption" and is sending its ships with "escorts" around the Red Sea. The UK warned about the continuation of attacks in the Red Sea: "international action" will follow. The Security Council condemned the Houthis' attacks on ships in the Red Sea and called for an end to them. The ultimatum from the US and its allies to the Houthis: either stop the attacks or expect "consequences."