Houthi tribesmen gather to show defiance after U.S. and UK air strikes on Houthi positions near Sanaa, Yemen February 4, 2024.REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah
The United States has announced its intention to conduct additional strikes targeting Iran-backed groups in the Middle East, as stated by the White House national security adviser. These strikes follow recent actions taken against Tehran-aligned factions in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen over the preceding two days.
The U.S. and Britain carried out attacks on 36 Houthi targets in Yemen, following a similar strike by the U.S. military against Tehran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria. These actions were in response to a deadly attack on U.S. troops in Jordan.
The ongoing conflict has seen escalation since October 7, triggered by the incursion of the Iran-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas into Israel from the Gaza Strip. Various Tehran-supported groups expressing solidarity with the Palestinians have become involved across the region, with incidents including Hezbollah’s actions at the Lebanese-Israeli border, Iraqi militias’ attacks on U.S. forces, and Houthi assaults on shipping in the Red Sea and Israel.
Despite backing these groups, Iran has thus far refrained from direct involvement in the conflict, a stance echoed by the Pentagon, which expresses no desire for war with Iran. The U.S. has avoided targeting sites within Iran.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has indicated that Friday’s strikes were just the beginning of the U.S. response, with more steps planned, some of which may not be immediately visible. However, Sullivan clarified that this is not an open-ended military campaign.
The recent strikes in Yemen targeted various Houthi military assets, including weapons storage facilities and missile systems. Houthi spokespeople have vowed retaliation, while affirming Yemen’s commitment to supporting Gaza despite the attacks.
Experts suggest that Iran is likely to continue its strategy of avoiding direct confrontation to safeguard its territory. They note that while the recent U.S. strikes in Iraq and Syria represent escalation, they have not targeted Iranian assets directly.
The U.S. strikes have drawn criticism from Iran, which deems them a violation of international law, while warning of their implications for global peace and security.
In Iraq, funeral processions were held for 17 members of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) killed in the strikes, with calls from senior Iraqi figures to remove U.S. forces from the country. Discussions have begun between Iraq and the United States regarding the coalition’s presence in Iraq, aiming to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State.
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