Houthi attacks and US strikes heighten risk of wider Middle East war
- US military says it shot down 12 attack drones and five missiles fired by Houthi rebels over the Red Sea
- Since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war, Iran-backed Houthis have targeted commercial vessels
US strikes on targets in Iraq and fresh attacks by Houthi militants on shipping in the Red Sea provided the latest warning signs that the war in Gaza risks expanding into a wider conflict destabilising the Middle East.
The Pentagon said late on Monday that its forces launched strikes on three installations in Iraq linked to Kataib Hezbollah. Washington said the Iraqi insurgent group that’s backed by Iran was behind an attack that injured three US personnel, leaving one in critical condition.
“While we do not seek to escalate conflict in the region, we are committed and fully prepared to take further necessary measures to protect our people and our facilities,” US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement. He called it a “necessary and proportionate” response.
Then on Tuesday, Yemen-based Houthi rebels, also backed by Iran, renewed their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co confirmed that the container ship MSC United VIII was hit while en route to Pakistan. It said no injuries were reported.
10:26
Yemen’s Houthi fighters behind Red Sea attacks threaten to disrupt global trade
And US Central Command said in a social media posting on X that a US destroyer and F/A-18 fighter jets shot down 12 attack drones, three anti-ship ballistic missiles and two land attack cruise missiles fired by the Houthis over the Southern Red Sea on Tuesday. It said there was no damage to ships or reported injuries.