Many in West Asia, including some US allies, condemned the American-led airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on Friday and warned that they risked causing a broader conflict in the region. A spokesman for the Iran’s foreign ministry denounced the strikes as “a violation of international laws” and said they “will have no result other than fueling insecurity and instability in the region.”
Even close US ally Oman, which often mediates between the Houthis and international parties, expressed concern, a reflection of the fear that the American-led action would not deter the Houthis but would only inflame regional conflict. “It is impossible not to denounce that an allied country resorted to this military action, while meanwhile, Israel is continuing to exceed all bounds in its siege on Gaza without any consequence,” Oman’s foreign ministry said.In Bahrain, another US ally, people took to the streets on Friday to protest their country’s involvement in the military coalition. Amid anger over its participation in the coalition, the Bahraini government has not independently acknowledged its role, but was named in the joint statement announcing the strikes.
Saudi Arabia has led an anti-Houthi coalition since 2015 but is now angling for a ceasefire and military exit from the Arabian Peninsula’s poorest nation. The Saudi foreign ministry called for “self-restraint and avoiding escalation”. Anna Jacobs, Gulf analyst for the International Crisis Group thinktank, said Saudi Arabia found itself “in a tight spot”.
Watch Red Sea Crisis: How US, UK strikes on Houthis in Yemen might favour Iran in the middle east crisis
Even close US ally Oman, which often mediates between the Houthis and international parties, expressed concern, a reflection of the fear that the American-led action would not deter the Houthis but would only inflame regional conflict. “It is impossible not to denounce that an allied country resorted to this military action, while meanwhile, Israel is continuing to exceed all bounds in its siege on Gaza without any consequence,” Oman’s foreign ministry said.In Bahrain, another US ally, people took to the streets on Friday to protest their country’s involvement in the military coalition. Amid anger over its participation in the coalition, the Bahraini government has not independently acknowledged its role, but was named in the joint statement announcing the strikes.
Saudi Arabia has led an anti-Houthi coalition since 2015 but is now angling for a ceasefire and military exit from the Arabian Peninsula’s poorest nation. The Saudi foreign ministry called for “self-restraint and avoiding escalation”. Anna Jacobs, Gulf analyst for the International Crisis Group thinktank, said Saudi Arabia found itself “in a tight spot”.
Watch Red Sea Crisis: How US, UK strikes on Houthis in Yemen might favour Iran in the middle east crisis