Mon Sep 23 22:16:58 UTC 2024: ## US and UK Take Action Against Houthi Attacks on Red Sea Shipping, Iran Accused of Supporting Aggression

**By Edmund Fitton-Brown**

The Houthi movement in Yemen, a group with strong ties to Iran, has escalated its attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait, posing a serious threat to global trade and security.

Former UK Ambassador to Yemen Edmund Fitton-Brown, who has extensive experience negotiating with the Houthis, warns that the group is not a liberation movement but an “extraordinarily virulent, chauvinistic, and violent group” driven by a desire to control Yemen and use its strategic location for their own benefit.

Despite years of peace talks and efforts to reach a ceasefire, the Houthis have shown no signs of compromise, and have become increasingly reliant on Iran for military support, training, and technical expertise.

The US and UK have taken a more active role in deterring Houthi aggression, sinking three of their boats and carrying out strikes against facilities used to launch attacks. The US Navy has also sent a clear message to Iran, which is widely believed to be orchestrating the attacks, that its actions will not be tolerated.

Fitton-Brown argues that Iran’s behavior demonstrates a pattern of escalation and suggests that the only way to stop the attacks is to impose severe, targeted penalties against Iran. He emphasizes the importance of restoring deterrence and preventing a wider regional conflict.

The article highlights the complexities of the situation in Yemen, where the Houthis are able to exploit international desire for peace while simultaneously engaging in aggressive actions that threaten global stability.

The international community faces a difficult challenge: how to balance the need for humanitarian relief in Yemen with the necessity of confronting the Houthis’ aggression and ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.

**Key takeaways:**

* The Houthis have intensified their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, threatening global trade and security.
* Iran is widely believed to be supporting and coordinating these attacks.
* The US and UK have taken action to deter Houthi aggression, but more needs to be done.
* The international community must confront Iran’s aggressive behavior and re-establish deterrence to prevent escalation into a regional war.

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