What's behind escalating US air attacks in Yemen?
The Trump administration has escalated US air attacks in Yemen against the Houthis. According to Yemen's Health Ministry, these near-daily raids have killed dozens, including civilians in residential areas. While the Biden administration had already carried out a series of attacks, the Trump administration is significantly ramping up its military response.
The Houthis had launched multiple attacks on shipping in the Red Sea since November 23, 2023. They claim their actions are a way to express solidarity with the Palestinians and condemn Israel's war on Gaza.
Humanitarian conditions in Yemen had already deteriorated due to its 10-year civil war between the Iran-allied Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition. This conflict has reached an impasse in recent years.
So could Trump's escalating attacks enflame regional tensions?
This week on UpFront, Redi Tlhabi speaks with senior policy analyst at the Washington Center for Yemeni Studies, Fatima Abo Alasrar, and political analyst Hussain al-Bukhaiti.
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Al Jazeera
33 minutes ago
- Al Jazeera
How US politicians responded to Israel's attacks on Iran
Washington, DC – Less than three hours before Israel launched its first wave of strikes against Iran, United States President Donald Trump reiterated that the United States was committed to further diplomacy with Tehran. The Israeli attacks early on Friday have put those negotiations in jeopardy and raised the risk of an all-out conflict in the Middle East that may involve the US. Israel's strikes came as polar opposites on the right and left ideological spectrum of US politics have urged Trump to resist being dragged by Israel into a war with Iran. But support for Israel in the US political establishment remains formidable despite the cracks that have been showing in recent years, both in public opinion and among politicians. So as the bombs fell on Tehran and other Iranian cities, many American politicians rushed to send 'prayers' for Israel, while others expressed concern – if not outright rejection – over the escalation. Here's how US politicians responded to the events. The Trump administration was quick to distance itself from Israel's attacks, while also warning Iran not to retaliate against US interests in the region. 'Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,' Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement. 'Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defence. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel,' Rubio said. Trump later reiterated Rubio's message, telling Fox News that the US is 'hoping to get back to the negotiating table' with Iran. But it is highly unlikely that diplomacy between Washington and Tehran will continue – at least in the near future. Early reports from Iran indicate that Tehran will not attend the sixth round of nuclear negotiations with the US that are scheduled to take place in Oman on Sunday. Numerous members of Trump's Republican Party in Congress were quick to voice support for Israel, with many calling for prayers for the US allies, although it was Israel that initiated the attack on Iran. At least three lawmakers – Katie Britt, Rick Scott and Gary Palmer – used the exact words 'Please join me in praying for Israel' in their statements. House Speaker Mike Johnson also showed unflinching support for Israel. 'Israel IS right – and has a right – to defend itself!' Johnson wrote in a social media post featuring the Israeli flag. Senate Majority Leader John Thune's defence of Israel was slightly less effusive, as he focused his statement on US interests. 'The United States Senate stands ready to work with President Trump and with our allies in Israel to restore peace in the region and, first and foremost, to defend the American people from Iranian aggression, especially our troops and civilians serving overseas,' Thune wrote in a social media post. 'Iran should heavily consider the consequences before considering any action against Americans in the region.'Hawkish Republican Senator Lindsey Graham – a Trump ally – was among the first lawmakers to comment on the strikes. 'Game on. Pray for Israel,' he wrote in a social media post. Despite assertions by some critics that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the bombing of Iran to sabotage Trump's diplomacy with Tehran, most of the US president's political party has come out in favour of the strikes. Several Democrats criticised the strikes outright, stressing that war with Iran would not serve US interests. Senator Chris Murphy said the Israeli strikes are 'clearly intended to scuttle' the Trump administration's diplomacy with Iran. 'This is a disaster of Trump and Netanyahu's own making, and now the region risks spiralling toward a new, deadly conflict,' Murphy said in a statement. 'A war between Israel and Iran may be good for Netanyahu's domestic politics, but it will likely be disastrous for both the security of Israel, the United States, and the rest of the region.' He added that the US has 'no obligation' to follow Israel into a war with Iran. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, also called on Trump to push for de-escalation. 'Israel's alarming decision to launch airstrikes on Iran is a reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence,' Reed said in a statement. 'I urge both nations to show immediate restraint, and I call on President Trump and our international partners to press for diplomatic de-escalation before this crisis spirals further out of control.' Congressman Joaquin Castro noted that US officials were set to hold talks with Iran on Sunday. 'This attack by Netanyahu is pure sabotage,' Castro said in a social media post. 'What does 'America First' even mean if Trump allows Netanyahu to drag the country into a war Americans don't want?' The Israeli strikes have also highlighted the split within the Democratic Party on Israel, as some lawmakers voiced unreserved backing for the US ally despite criticism by their colleagues. Congressman Ritchie Torress claimed that Israel – which has its own undeclared nuclear arsenal and is accused by UN experts and major rights groups of carrying out a genocide against Palestinians in Gaza – is 'defending itself'. Senator John Fetterman rejoiced in the assassination of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps chief Hossein Salami. He wrote, 'thank u, next' in response to the US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard said earlier this year that Washington 'continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon', several lawmakers portrayed the Israeli attacks as an effort to stop Tehran from acquiring a nuclear bomb. 'America and the World will never be safe with a nuclear-capable Iran which would bring an existential threat to Israel and constant instability to the region,' Congressman George Latimer said. 'I support Israel's right to defend itself,' he added.
Al Jazeera
an hour ago
- Al Jazeera
How the world is reacting to Israel's attacks on Iran
Israel's military says it launched a wave of strikes on Iran, hitting key nuclear facilities and killing senior Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists in a major attack. The assault in the early hours of Friday also hit residential sites, injuring at least 50 people, according to Iran's Tasnim state news agency. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel that it 'must expect severe punishment' following its 'crime', while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the military operation will continue as long as necessary. Here is how the world is reacting: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for 'maximum restraint' to avoid 'descent into deeper conflict'. 'The secretary-general condemns any military escalation in the Middle East,' Guterres's spokesperson Farhan Haq said. 'He is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran's nuclear programme are under way.' Oman, which has been mediating nuclear talks between the US and Iran over recent months, decried Israel's attacks as a 'dangerous and reckless escalation' that 'violates the principles of international law'. '[It] represents unacceptable and ongoing aggressive behaviour that undermines the foundations of stability in the region,' the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. 'Israel is responsible for this escalation and its consequences.' US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel took 'unilateral action against Iran' and that Israel advised the US that it believed the strikes were necessary for its self-defence. 'We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,' Rubio said in a statement released by the White House. 'Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.' Saudi Arabia denounced the 'heinous' Israeli attacks. 'The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the heinous Israeli attacks against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran,' the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement on X. The ministry said Israel's brutal offensive on Iran 'violates its sovereignty and constitutes a blatant breach of international laws and norms'. It pointed to the UN Security Council's responsibility for immediately confronting and halting the repeated Israeli aggression. Qatar said it was deeply concerned over the 'dangerous escalation' and called on the international community to 'urgently halt these Israeli violations'. 'The State of Qatar expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli attack targeting the territory of the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran, considering it a flagrant violation of Iran's sovereignty and security, and a clear breach of the rules and principles of international law,' the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Israel's strikes on Iran are concerning and that all parties need to step back and reduce tensions. 'Stability in the Middle East must be the priority, and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy,' Starmer said. Australia said it was 'alarmed by the escalation between Israel and Iran'. 'This risks further destabilising a region that is already volatile. We call on all parties to refrain from actions and rhetoric that will further exacerbate tensions,' said Foreign Minister Penny Wong. 'We all understand the threat of Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programme represents a threat to international peace and security, and we urge the parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy,' Wong said. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the attacks were an 'unwelcome development' in the region. 'The risk of miscalculation is high. That region does not need any more military action, and risk associated with that,' Luxon said. Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said the use of military forces at a time of diplomacy and negotiations between the US and Iran is 'deeply regrettable'. 'The government strongly condemns this action, which escalates the situation,' Iwaya said.
Al Jazeera
an hour ago
- Al Jazeera
Israel's attack on Iran 'part of a broad plan' for regional escalation
Israel confirms attacks launched on Iran's nuclear and military sites. US claims it was not involved in attack, warns Iran against retaliation.
