Is escalating the conflict by bombing the Houthis the way to go?

M0nica

Whitewavemark2 what would you do if diplomacy didn't work.? The terrorists kept firing at ships in international waters, and refused to talk no matter what inducements we offered.?

What will we do if bombing only incentivises further attacks on shipping. Is it likely to stop them? Will we starve in this country if shipping disrupted?

Glorianny

"If we are looking at women, the Iranians actually have a better record on advancing them than the country which the west supports-Saudi Arabia.
There is in Iran the growth of a movement called Islamic feminism.

Iran only recently stoned to death a poor young woman for not covering her hair sufficiently.
To death by stoning.
No-one can defend such a barbaric act and excuse a country as you are doing.

Comparisons are not wanted.

Whitewavemark2 what would you do if diplomacy didn't work.? The terrorists kept firing at ships in international waters, and refused to talk no matter what inducements we offered.?

The targets were military bases.

Commercial shipping travelling peacefully through an important trade route should never have been targeted.
By attacking commercial shipping the Houthis broke international maritime law.

Other countries supported the action.

Consequences were promised . . . and delivered. Last month, the United States formed a coalition of more than twenty nations called Operation Prosperity Guardian to respond to Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea. Last week, the United States, along with allies and partners, issued a stark warning to the Houthis to stop their aggression or face repercussions. Then, following another attack on shipping lanes on Tuesday, US and UK forces launched air and missile strikes on Thursday against dozens of Houthi targets in Yemen.

JaneJudge

we are allowed to feel sad

Oh yes, I feel extremely sad for all losses of innocent lives.

we are allowed to feel sad

I don’t see it as a choice between hawks & doves, it’s more complicated than that.

Terrorist organisations and/or hard line regimes do not willingly commit to peace negotiations.

Is the free world to stand by and let these groups attack innocent civilians and ships?

Are those advocating to do nothing willing to take the risk of attacks local to you and your loved ones?

Are you willing or indeed able to pay extra for goods which will be and in some cases already not using the Red Sea route?

I am against war for war sakes, but understand that sometimes it is the only option.

tickingbird

Glorianny
If we are looking at women, the Iranians actually have a better record on advancing them than the country which the west supports-Saudi Arabia.
There is in Iran the growth of a movement called Islamic feminism. No such movement is found in Saudi

Really? I mean really? You really are talking nonsense again.

Try telling that to the beautiful young lady that was lashed 74 times on her back very recently for not wearing the hijab. Her back was a bloody mess.

The Iranian government and their mullahs are sadistic, backward monsters. They are behind much of the trouble in the world.

I didn't say either was perfect I did say it is nonsense to claim Iran punishes women while supporting a country which is equally restrictive like Saudi Arabia\

Interestingly (which you don't appear to know) one of the most active countries in fighting ISIS (remember them ) was Iran. Who funded ISIS? Saudi Arabia.
If only the baddies and goodies were as obvious or clear cut as you seem to think.

How weird that this just came up on phone

If a monkey hoarded more bananas than it could eat, whilst most of the other monkeys starved, scientists would study that monkey to see what the hell was wrong with it. When humans do it, we put them on the cover of Forbes

I think we are doomed.

Money = Power JaneJudge.

I am also a pacifist. I often wonder what the world would be like if all lived kindly on it and thought of others rather than this power hungry, money loaded world we actually inhabit. All these rich powerful people do not care about us and there are more of us. Why are we all so powerless as to what our fate is as the little people? There is so much unnecessary suffering everywhere

Glorianny
If we are looking at women, the Iranians actually have a better record on advancing them than the country which the west supports-Saudi Arabia.
There is in Iran the growth of a movement called Islamic feminism. No such movement is found in Saudi

Really? I mean really? You really are talking nonsense again.

Try telling that to the beautiful young lady that was lashed 74 times on her back very recently for not wearing the hijab. Her back was a bloody mess.

The Iranian government and their mullahs are sadistic, backward monsters. They are behind much of the trouble in the world.

I am not a pacifist but believe wars should be the last option, when all diplomacy has failed, and only ever for a just cause and with consideration of the what is the desired end result. I find it strange that Humza Yousaf was not consulted. I agree with your sentiments Grammaretto, you are not alone.

Grammaretto you are absolutely right. There are mainly hawks and sadly a lot of grans who swallow whole the propaganda produced by the US and the oil providing countries they befriend.

How are you going to achieve that?

While France sits on the fence I trust Biden will remember who put their heads above the parapet before he launches his next anti British rant.

Jaberwok

Iran is a beautiful country and was once enjoyed by ALL who lived there, no matter what their race or religious beliefs were, or none, where women could and did enjoy the same freedoms as men. That is now only a far off memory for some and no memory at all for others. Not so bad if you are a man, but welcoming? Depends who you are!

If we are looking at women, the Iranians actually have a better record on advancing them than the country which the west supports-Saudi Arabia.
There is in Iran the growth of a movement called Islamic feminism. No such movement is found in Saudi digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1217&context=globaltides

Is it only hawks on this forum?
I am a pacifist, against all killing and violence.
The only way for the escalation to stop now is for Israel to cease fire.
The situation is beyond unbearable already.

Glorianny

Oreo

Knew you would say something along those lines Gloranny.I must be psychic.
Ukraine is at war with the aggressor Russia, Houthi rebels are boarding ships with violence and often stealing them.That’s any shipping btw no matter who owns it or where it’s destined to end up.They are using Gaza as a convenient cover for this, and are armed and encouraged by that cesspit of a regime in Iran.If you can’t see that then head to Specsavers.

So why is it OK for us to supply Saudi Arabia with weapons to kill people in Yemen? Are those people supported by anyone? Not us, not the US, not Saudi Arabia and not Iran. They are like thousands of other civilians, the victims. But of course commercial shipping ranks far above them in the pecking order.
The Houthi rebels as you call them have been in control of massive areas of Yemen for several years. They have been described as the only effective government and administration in the area. But still the west fails to recognise them.

As for Iran I know people who have been there. They described it as a beautiful country with welcoming people and some amazing historical sites. Whatever you may think of its government (and the US can directly be blamed for its existence) it is not a cess pit.

If not a cess pit, why are so many people leaving and claiming asylum in other countries, including ours.

Guess it must be the absolutely humane Government they have. You know forcing women to wear a veil. Goodness knows what they do to people in same sex relationships.
Iran as country may be beautiful, and have many ancient ruins, but the people who run it make it a place of evil for people living there.

Iran is a beautiful country and was once enjoyed by ALL who lived there, no matter what their race or religious beliefs were, or none, where women could and did enjoy the same freedoms as men. That is now only a far off memory for some and no memory at all for others. Not so bad if you are a man, but welcoming? Depends who you are!

Glorianny Read my post again. It clearly says ‘ that cesspit of a regime in Iran’.
Why isn’t it ok for us and many other countries to sell arms to SA?
Yemen is just about the poorest country in the Arab world and yet the Houthis prefer to use Iranian money for missiles.It’s hamas by another name why should anyone recognise them as a legitimate government.As with Gaza and loads of people there supporting hamas, hating Israel and the West in general, so do loads of people in Yemen feel the same way.
This strike was on Houthi strongholds. The world can’t stand by and let them do as they like.

I despair, Glorianny. Iran may be a beautiful country with welcoming people but they are also happy to supply terrorists with weapons. Terrorists will smile at you whilst stabbing you in the back. You could equate the Houthis with Hammas - terrorists in control of their respective areas. I think you would have got on well with Corbyn.

merlotgran

^It is going to take more than the odd bomb being lobbed at them to defeat them, and this is what is worrying me^

That’s a bit of an insulting comment to make. Sea Viper missiles used to shoot down the drones cost millions so it’s not a course of action that’s taken lightly. Spare a thought for the men and women serving on board the US and British ships who are protecting the lives of those aboard the cargo ships, not to mention the cargo itself.

And that is exactly what is worrying me.

Oreo

Knew you would say something along those lines Gloranny.I must be psychic.
Ukraine is at war with the aggressor Russia, Houthi rebels are boarding ships with violence and often stealing them.That’s any shipping btw no matter who owns it or where it’s destined to end up.They are using Gaza as a convenient cover for this, and are armed and encouraged by that cesspit of a regime in Iran.If you can’t see that then head to Specsavers.

So why is it OK for us to supply Saudi Arabia with weapons to kill people in Yemen? Are those people supported by anyone? Not us, not the US, not Saudi Arabia and not Iran. They are like thousands of other civilians, the victims. But of course commercial shipping ranks far above them in the pecking order.
The Houthi rebels as you call them have been in control of massive areas of Yemen for several years. They have been described as the only effective government and administration in the area. But still the west fails to recognise them.

As for Iran I know people who have been there. They described it as a beautiful country with welcoming people and some amazing historical sites. Whatever you may think of its government (and the US can directly be blamed for its existence) it is not a cess pit.

Really it’s back to the Sunnis and the Shias - and I don’t know what to think!