The government of USA argued this Sunday that he acts in “self-defense” in it Red Sea because its interests are at stake in that maritime route, through which a large amount of oil and liquefied gas transits, and he emphasized that he does not seek to fuel tension in middle East.
This is how he positioned himself John Kirbyone of the spokespersons for the White Houseduring an interview with the ABC network and after USA and the rebels Houthis of Yemensupported by Iranthey exchanged fire in the first clash with deaths in the Red Sea.
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“We do not seek to expand the conflict in the region. We certainly do not seek a conflict with the HouthisKirby stated.
The spokesperson noted that the United States is not ruling out any options regarding how to respond to the Houthi attacks, but made clear that the primary objective is to protect maritime trade and interests in the area of the US and its allies.
“We are going to deploy whatever forces are necessary in the region to protect those interests. We are acting in self-defense”, he stressed.
This Sunday, the United States took the strongest action to date to defend international maritime security by sinking three ships carrying rebels. Shia Houthis in the Red Sea, in response to an attack by Iranian-backed insurgents against a Danish shipping company ship Maersk.
This was the first time since the Houthis declared war on Israel in favor of the population of Gaza, it has been more than two months since the United States has directly confronted the rebels and has left an undetermined number of fatalities in their ranks.
So far, the Houthis have not claimed responsibility for this action against the Maersk Hanzghouflag of Singaporewhich was attacked near the port of Hodeidahone of the most important in Yemen and controlled by the rebels.
After the start of Israel’s offensive in Gaza, the Houthis have launched several volleys of missiles and drones against southern Israel and also against ships flying the flag of the Jewish State or owned by Israeli companies in the Red Sea and the Strait of Bab al Mandebwhich connects said sea with the gulf of aden.
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As a result, several shipping groups have reported that they are temporarily suspending their operations in the Red Sea.
Last week, the United States announced a military coalition made up of more than 20 nations under the name ‘Operation Prosperity Guardian‘ (Operation Prosperity Guardian) to counter Houthi attacks in the area and offer protection to ships transiting the Red Sea.
The armed conflict in Yemen began in 2014 when the Houthi rebels occupied Fury and other provinces of the country, and the conflict intensified with the intervention of the Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia, with support from the United States, in March 2015.
