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Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/01/13/airstrikes-houthis-yemen-red-sea-shipping-iran/
U.S. Strikes on the Houthis Were Strong, Proportionate - and Overdue
(Washington Post) Editorial - Some regional analysts are warning that the U.S.-led airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen risk igniting a wider Middle East conflagration. Precisely the opposite is true. The Houthis already escalated the regional conflict by using the pretext of Israel's war with Hamas to launch unprovoked attacks against commercial ships traversing the Red Sea. The U.S. and its coalition allies had little choice but to mount a strong response. If the Biden administration could be faulted for anything, it is that the same effort taken sooner might have had greater effect. The Houthis are one of several Iran-backed militias - others operate in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria - that have been attacking Israeli and U.S. targets as a way to support yet another Iran-backed militia, Hamas, in its war against Israel. The Houthis survive - and thrive - on never-ending conflict. Their official slogan is: "God is the Greatest, Death to America, Death to Israel, Curse Upon the Jews, Victory to Islam." These airstrikes should at least temporarily disrupt the Houthis' capabilities, while leaving plenty more targets to hit if they continue their attacks.