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

The chain reaction of evil - wars producing more wars - must be broken - or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation. Martin Luther King Jr.

Galaxy

I have for many years held a particular (not positive) view of America as a superpower, I am beginning to change my view I think. I have never been as grateful for the presence of America as a global force so to speak than I have been in the last few months.

I agree. I think America is damned if they do and damned if they don’t.

It’s a worrying time but as others have said, diplomacy doesn’t work with terrorists.

Farzanah

Failing to vote for ceasefire in Gaza has provoked this. Seems to me that goods are more valuable than lives. Why do we have to be US poodle?

What would ceasefire do,oh yes allow Hamas to regroup, replan, and build more hiding places amongst the poor civilians. Hamas is solely to blame for this. Are you as concerned about the poor Ukrainians being bombed to hell as well.?

Ronib
I think they’ll join in when needed 😉

petra

Ronib
I think they’ll join in when needed 😉

Yes. Only a matter of time.

So let's get this straight. The sinking of Russian ships by Ukraine is OK because they are fighting a war using weapons supplied by the west. The sinking of ships by the Houthi government of Yemen in support of Gaza, a country manifestly unable to defend itself is wrong because the government is terrorist.
But it isn't. Joe Biden removed the Houthis from the US terrorist list in 2021.
Yemen is a disaster area where over 19000 people have been killed by airstrikes from Saudi Arabia and many more are starving.
Some of us have been advocating the UK stop supplying weapons which are used by the Saudis in Yemen for many years. Will more bombing solve the problem? I can see no reason why it should.

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.

Interesting posts.

So, the reason I wondered if diplomacy might be the better alternative to military action is, that, SA who are much better armed than the Houthis have been fighting them since about 2014 and the Houthis have simply become stronger both militarily and politically. It is going to take more than the odd bomb being lobbed at them to defeat them, and this is what is worrying me.

I’ve read that the USA hoped that by taking the Houthis off the terrorist list, there would be a chance of peace. Well that backfired didn’t it?
I imagine the Houthis will be back on the list by now?

Diplomacy is always a better option.
If it works.

You can't negotiate with terrorists, backward thinking uneducated fuelled by drugs. Well done USA and the UK.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

How are you going to achieve that?

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.

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.