The US and UK militaries launched multiple strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen in the early hours of 12 January, the first of their kind since the start of the Gaza war. This action was in response to the Houthis’ refusal to heed continuous calls by the US and the UK, as well as a UN Security Council resolution, demanding an end to attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
These missile and drone attacks by the Yemeni group have been taking place since the war in Gaza began in October, in retaliation for Israel’s actions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The situation escalated on 19 November when the Houthis commandeered a Japanese-operated vessel and since then, the group has continued its consistent campaign of attacks, significantly deteriorating maritime security in one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.
These attacks, and the US-UK response, reflect the regional spillover of the Gaza war and the possibility of broader conflict in the Middle East.’
A panel of experts will discuss:
- What are Washington’s and London’s calculations in relation to Red Sea escalation?
- How will the US and UK response affect the Houthi approach and capabilities?
- What does the retaliation against the Houthis from the US and UK mean for Yemen’s fragile peace?
- How does Iran view actions by the Houthis and other actors in the ‘Axis of Resistance’?
- What is the likelihood of the conflict expanding into a broader regional war?
Simultaneous translation into Arabic will be provided.
