Inevitable
It finally happened. It had to.
Early Friday morning, US and UK warplanes struck over 60 targets using 150 precision-guided missiles in Houthi-controlled Yemen. For good measure, US warplanes later struck a radar station that survived the first wave of attacks.
The assault, meant to degrade Houthi capacity to threaten commercial shipping, was supported by military assets from Australia, Canada and the Netherlands. The damage assessment being conducted will determine if additional strikes are required.
The Houthis have made an absolute nuisance of themselves. Since November, ostensibly in support of their brother terrorists in Gaza, the Houthis have launched 27 attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Earlier, they seized a commercial vessel traversing the narrow strait.
The Houthis likewise attempted to reach Israel with their drones and cruise missiles. All of their attempts were intercepted by warships sent to protect navigation in the busy sea lane leading to the Suez Canal.
Hours after the first wave of attacks mounted by US and UK warplanes, the Houthis fired at a tanker nearby. The tanker turned out to be bearing Russian oil being clandestinely transported to evade international sanctions.
Hours before the devastating bombardment, Houthis fired cruise missiles at a US warship patrolling the Red Sea. The missiles were duly intercepted.
The precision munitions used in the bombardment hit over 60 separate targets, including airports, missile launch facilities and arms depots. The Houthis reported five casualties on their side – quite small considering the intensity of the bombardment.
Houthi attacks on commercial shipping forced oil tankers to avoid the Red Sea and take the longer and more costly route around Africa. This forced up the costs of oil products globally.
The attacks also threaten to disrupt deliveries of everything, from industrial supplies to consumer goods. The disruption threatens to break global supply chains and cause widespread economic dislocation.
The bombardment undertaken by US and UK air and naval forces were justified under international law. The Houthis were violating freedom of navigation through the Red Sea. The international
