WASHINGTON: US military launched additional strikes in Yemen against anti-ship ballistic missiles in a Houthi-controlled area of the nation, after a missile struck a Greek-owned vessel in the Red Sea. Disruptions to Red Sea shipping caused by Houthi strikes will raise consumer goods costs, particularly in Europe, according to an executive from port and freight operator DP World, as the impact on business grows. Attacks by the Houthis on ships in the region since November have harmed businesses and frightened foreign powers, escalating Israel’s more than three-month war with Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza. The Houthis claim to be acting in sympathy with the Palestinians and have promised to widen their attacks to include US ships in response to American and British bombings on their positions in Yemen.
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US President Joe Biden’s government intends to re-list Houthi rebels as terrorist organizations in order to cut off their funding and supply of weapons, according to two US sources. In 2021, the Biden administration removed the Houthis from two lists labeling them as terrorists, reversing former President Donald Trump’s action. The latest action would reinstate the Houthis on one of the two lists, identifying them as “specially designated global terrorists.” The White House said additional US strikes on Tuesday destroyed ballistic missiles that the Houthis were preparing to launch, confirming a Reuters story earlier this week citing US officials that a new strike was launched against four anti-ship missiles. The strike was not previously reported. “We are not looking to extend this. The Houthis have a decision to make, and they still have time to make the right one, which is to halt these reckless attacks,” said White House spokesperson John Kirby. France chose not take part in the US-led attacks because it wants to avoid a regional escalation, President Emmanuel Macron said a news conference. The government has a “defensive” strategy in the Red Sea and would keep maintain this stance, Macron said.
