Law, Power, and Justice

The Iranian-backed militia and its allies condemned air and naval attacks led by the United States, an expansion of the conflict in the Middle East. President Biden said he “will not hesitate” to act further if the Houthis continue targeting Red Sea shipping. Nyt

After the United States and others launched air and naval strikes against more than a dozen targets linked to the Houthi militia, even some American allies in the Arab world worried that the attacks would not deter the Houthis, but could further inflame a region seething over Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. Oman, a U.S. ally that has mediated talks with the Houthis, criticized the strikes and expressed its “deep concern.” Nyt

British warplanes joined the strikes, and the Netherlands, Australia, Canada and Bahrain provided logistics, intelligence and other support, according to U.S. officials. Nut

The U.S.-led strikes in Yemen hit radars, missile- and drone-launch sites, and weapons storage areas, according to two American officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Biden administration officials said the strikes were intended to hinder the Houthis’ ability to strike Red Sea targets, rather than to kill leaders and Iranian trainers, which could be viewed as more escalatory. A Houthi spokesman said at least five of its fighters were killed.

No further strikes against Houthi targets are currently planned but the situation will be kept under review, the British prime minister’s office said. British warplanes joined in the strikes in Yemen led by the United States.