Ultimatum from the U.S. and its Allies to the Houthis: Stop Attacks or Face 'Consequences'

The United States, Britain, and several other allies on Wednesday issued a 'final warning' to the Houthi rebel group in Yemen, demanding that they immediately cease attacks on international vessels in the Red Sea or be prepared to face the consequences of their actions. In a statement prepared and endorsed by over ten countries, it was stated: 'The ongoing attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea are illegal, unacceptable, and deeply destabilizing. If the Houthis continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and the free flow of trade in the region's vital waterways, they will face consequences.' According to the Wall Street Journal, U.S. officials say that the U.S. military has prepared options for striking the Iran-backed rebel group, and if the U.S., Britain, and other countries resort to force, potential targets could include anti-ship missile launchers and drones, as well as infrastructure such as coastal radar facilities and ammunition storage sites belonging to the Yemeni Houthis. John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council at the White House, stated: 'President Joe Biden has made it clear that the United States does not seek conflict with any country or actor in the Middle East, but will not hesitate to defend itself, its interests, its partners, or the free flow of international trade.' According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East, the Iranian-backed Houthis have attacked commercial vessels 24 times since mid-November. Tensions escalated last week when Houthi fighters fired at American helicopters that had come to rescue a Singapore-flagged ship in the Red Sea using four small boats. U.S. Navy helicopters responded to the gunfire, sinking three Houthi boats. The Houthi attacks have impacted the global economy, with most oil tankers and container ships still avoiding the Red Sea route and opting to go around the southern tip of Africa instead. On Tuesday, Danish shipping company Maersk announced that its vessels would not pass through the Red Sea for at least another week. Nearly 15% of global maritime trade passes through the Red Sea, including 8% of global grain trade, 12% of maritime oil trade, and 8% of the world's liquefied natural gas trade. The Houthi movement is a political and armed movement of Shiites in Yemen that emerged in the 1990s in northwestern Yemen. Houthi fighters overthrew the legitimate Yemeni government in 2014, prompting Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries to launch military operations against the rebels. The Iran-backed Houthis currently control Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, and parts of its northern region, temporarily designating the city of Aden as their capital. The Houthis are currently listed as terrorist organizations by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia. The Trump administration designated the Houthis as a terrorist group in January 2021 and imposed sanctions on them, but with the new administration, Joe Biden removed the group from the terrorist list and lifted the sanctions. The Houthis' attack on another cargo ship; CENTCOM: No damage reported. Continued reluctance of major shipping companies to pass through the Red Sea; sharp increase in delivery costs. Ongoing adventures of the Islamic Republic in the region's waters; the 'Alborz' destroyer has entered the Red Sea. The British Defense Minister: We are ready to attack the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Houthi missile attacks prompted a response from two U.S. warships. Continued Houthi attacks on vessels; 'Maersk' halted passage through the Red Sea for 48 hours. The U.S. sanctioned one individual and three entities facilitating financial assistance from the Islamic Republic to the Houthis.