US does not want war with Iran-backed Houthis: White House

International Desk: The United States says it does not want war with the Iran-backed rebel group Houthis in Yemen. White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby said this on Tuesday (January 16).

He said, we do not want to expand the conflict. The Houthis have the will, but they still have time to choose the right path. And that is to stop reckless attacks. Since October 7 last year, Israel has been attacking the besieged Gaza in protest of Hamas attacks. Since November, the Yemeni rebel group Houthi has been attacking ships associated with Israel in the Red Sea in support of Hamas.

Last Tuesday (January 16) they attacked a Malta-flagged ship bound for Israel. Although no one was injured, the ship was badly damaged. In addition, the United States attacked the Houthis again on Tuesday.

US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said four anti-ship missiles were fired in the attack. Earlier, on Thursday (January 11) and Friday (January 12), the United States and the United Kingdom launched a joint attack on various parts of Yemen, including the capital Sana'a. However, the Houthis said that as long as Israel's attack on Gaza continues, they will continue to attack.

Meanwhile, these attacks by the Houthis targeting commercial ships have started to affect the international market. Ships that used to go to Europe via Egypt's Suez Canal from the Red Sea now have to go around Africa.

Due to this, the ships have to run for 10 days more than before. Even, going from Asia to Europe takes 9 lakh 10 thousand additional fuel. As a result, the price of goods is also increasing. The Houthis are primarily an armed group of the Zaidi sub-community of Yemen's Shiite Muslim minority.

Most Yemenis live in areas controlled by the Houthis. The Houthis also control the Red Sea coastline in Sana'a and northern Yemen. In the midst of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Western alliance including the United States and the Houthis have caused concern around the world.