WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden on Friday labeled Yemen’s Houthi forces a “terrorist” group after US and British warplanes, ships and submarines launched dozens of airstrikes on Yemen overnight.
Biden said Washington would respond to the Houthis if they continued what he called “outrageous” behavior.
London and Washington say their strikes in Yemen were in retaliation for months of attacks on shipping in the Red Sea by Iranian-backed fighters in response to the ongoing war in Gaza. The strikes represent one of the most dramatic demonstrations yet of the escalation of the conflict in Gaza.
“I think they are,” Biden told reporters on Friday when he was asked if he was willing to call the Houthis a “terrorist” group.
“We will make sure that we respond to the Houthis if they continue this outrageous behavior along with our allies,” he added.
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The White House said earlier in the day that the United States does not want war with Yemen but will not hesitate to take further action.
Iran-backed Houthis that took control of most of Yemen over the past decade, have been attacking shipping at the mouth of the Red Sea – one of the world’s busiest trade lanes – since October. The attacks have forced shippers to change course and take longer routes.
The Houthis are of the view that their attacks have been a show of support for Palestinians under siege by Israel in Hamas-governed Gaza.
