Crossroads in Conflict: Assessing the Legal, Strategic, and Global Implications of US-UK Airstrikes on Houthi Targets in Yemen
The recent US-UK airstrikes on Houthi sites in Yemen have generated significant international attention and differing perspectives on their legality, effectiveness, and potential consequences.
The airstrikes, launched by the US and UK on 12 January 2024, were conducted as a response to the Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. These attacks, which began after the start of the Israel-Hamas war on 7 October 2023, have had a considerable impact on global shipping and trade, forcing commercial ships to divert to longer routes and sparking concerns about inflation and supply chain disruptions. For instance, major carmakers such as Tesla, Volkswagen, General Motors, Ford, Nissan, Daimler, BMW and Renault have reported production suspensions due to these disruptions. The Red Sea, which accounts for about 12% of global maritime traffic, is a vital route for oil and gas shipments, as well as for goods and supplies from Asia to Europe and Africa.
The Houthi response to the airstrikes, launched by the US and UK , has been to condemn them as “barbaric” and to threaten retaliation, insisting on continuing their targeting of ships heading towards Israel as long as the conflict in Gaza persists. This stance by the Houthis is indicative of their broader ideological and strategic objectives, which intertwine with the regional dynamics involving Israel, Iran, and the Palestinian conflict. The Houthis, backed by Iran and Hezbollah, have conducted a campaign of high-profile attacks against civilian Saudi Arabian and coalition targets in the Gulf, beginning after the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen in 2015. They have also carried out some of the most escalatory attacks on Israel in response to the Israeli attack on Gaza, including drone and missile strikes on Israeli territory. These actions, driven by domestic political considerations, alliances with Iran, and an ideological stance against Israel, serve multiple objectives for the Houthis, potentially influencing the ongoing conflict in Yemen. The Houthis adhere to a supremacist and divisive ideology that has rebellion and violence at its core, a recipe that can perpetuate crises within a society. They also seek to challenge the regional order and assert themselves as a key player in the Middle East.
The legality of these airstrikes, launched by the US and UK on 12 January 2024, has been questioned by several international actors. Russia’s UN Ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, charged that the strikes violated international law, and China’s UN envoy, Zhang Jun, expressed similar concerns, highlighting the lack of Security Council authorization for the use of force against Yemen. These statements reflect a wider international debate over the legal justifications for such military interventions, which may involve self-defense, humanitarian intervention, or consent by the host state. The US and UK defended their strikes as consistent with international law and the UN Charter, claiming that they were necessary to protect commercial shipping and regional stability from the Houthi attacks. However, some experts and commentators have challenged this rationale, arguing that the strikes were disproportionate, illegal, and likely to escalate the conflict in Yemen and the region.
Responses from various countries and international bodies have varied. NATO described the strikes as defensive actions necessary to preserve freedom of navigation. However, countries like Italy, Spain, and France chose not to participate or endorse the strikes, citing fears of a wider escalation. They also preferred to pursue a diplomatic solution and avoid inflaming tensions with Iran and Hezbollah. Egypt, controlling the critical Suez Canal, expressed deep concern over the escalation of military operations in the region. It urged united efforts to reduce tension and avoid instability, especially in terms of the navigation in the Red Sea. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for restraint and avoiding escalation. He also stressed the need to respect UN Security Council resolution 2722 (2024), which demands that the Houthis cease all attacks on international shipping.
In conclusion, the US-UK airstrikes in Yemen are a complex issue embedded in a web of regional conflicts and international relations. They raise questions about international law, the efficacy of military interventions in deterring non-state actors like the Houthis, and the broader implications for regional stability and global trade. The divergent responses from the international community reflect the multifaceted nature of this situation and the challenges in addressing such conflicts in a globally interconnected world.
