The US and its allies should step up strikes on the Houthis to secure international shipping and avert the spread of a regional conflict, the deputy chairman of Yemen's Presidential Council and president of the Southern Transitional Council has said,
The National News reports.
Aidarus Al Zoubadi further urged the US and its allies to support troops from his government in an anti-Houthi coalition – and take tougher action against Iran.
In an interview with The National at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he said the Houthis had left the region on the edge of conflict, emboldened terror groups such as ISIS and Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and left Yemenis across the divided country starving.
“The Houthi escalations in the Red Sea are unacceptable. Maritime navigation must be protected,” he said.
“And the US air strikes in their current form are not enough.
“There should be a comprehensive approach – militarily, politically and economically – against the Houthis.”
On Monday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which works with Britain's Royal Navy, said a vessel was struck with a missile 177km off Aden, which serves as the capital of the southern state.
The US military's Central Command later said the Houthis were behind the attack.
“Attacks to prevent Israeli ships or those heading to the ports of the occupied Palestine will continue,” senior Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam said.
The US shot down a missile aimed at the USS Laboon in Red Sea overnight, with no damage or injuries reported.
UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said Britain would “wait and see” whether to strike Houthis again or not.
