Britain Rules Out Sending Ground Troops to Yemen, Focuses on Air Strikes
Britain has confirmed that it will not be sending ground troops to combat Houthi militants in Yemen. Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden stated that air strikes have already weakened the Iran-backed group. The United States and Britain have been conducting air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen since January, in response to months of Houthi attacks on commercial and naval ships in the Red Sea. The Houthis claim that these attacks are a response to Israel’s assault on Gaza.
No Ground Troops
Deputy Prime Minister Dowden made it clear that there are no plans to deploy ground troops in Yemen. The focus is on air strikes, which have gained some international support. The objective of these strikes is to reduce the Houthis’ ability to threaten vessels in the Red Sea, rather than ousting the group entirely. The Houthis have managed to survive a long Saudi bombing campaign and have gained prominence in the region as the only Arab force opposing Israel.
Impact on Global Trade
The attacks on Red Sea shipping have had a significant impact on global trade. Major shipping lines have diverted from the Red Sea trade route, opting for longer routes around Africa instead. This has increased costs and raised concerns about global inflation. Additionally, Egypt has suffered from a loss of crucial foreign revenue that it would normally earn from ships passing through the Suez Canal to or from the Red Sea.
Degrading Houthi Capability
Deputy Prime Minister Dowden expressed confidence that the military strikes are effectively degrading the Houthis’ capability to threaten the Red Sea. These strikes are part of a broader strategy that includes imposing sanctions on Houthi figures. The goal is to tighten pressure on the Houthis and ensure stability and free trade of goods and movement in the region.
International Support
The coordinated effort between Britain and the US has been presented as having broad international support. Countries such as Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands have provided some material support to the campaign, although they have not participated in the air strikes. However, few of Britain and the US’s closest Arab partners have joined the campaign or publicly expressed support.
Houthi Defiance
Despite the air strikes, the Houthis remain defiant. Vessels in the Red Sea continue to come under drone and missile attacks, and the group has issued statements threatening to target British and American naval vessels. The air strikes are taking place alongside an unrelated peace process in Yemen, where the UN has called for a ceasefire and political dialogue among all warring parties.
Fragile Regional Situation
Deputy Prime Minister Dowden described the broader regional situation as “fragile and dangerous” and urged all sides to exercise restraint. This week, Iranian-backed militants were held responsible for a drone attack that killed three US service members in Jordan. This incident marks the first deadly strike against US forces since the Israel-Hamas war began in October.
In conclusion, Britain has ruled out sending ground troops to Yemen and is instead focusing on air strikes to weaken the Houthi militants. These strikes aim to reduce the Houthis’ ability to threaten vessels in the Red Sea. The attacks on Red Sea shipping have disrupted global trade and affected Egypt’s foreign revenue. While the air strikes have gained some international support, few Arab partners have joined the campaign. The Houthis remain defiant and continue to target vessels in the Red Sea. Deputy Prime Minister Dowden emphasized the fragile regional situation and called for restraint from all parties involved.