The Israeli-Hamas war seems to be winding down, but Middle East tensions are rising. Houthi rebels in Yemen are attacking ships passing through the Red Sea. Iran has launched attacks against terror groups in multiple countries, including nuclear-armed Pakistan. The region is always a powder keg, but the situation appears to be particularly explosive now.
Who Are The Houthi Rebels?
The Houthi rebels have been battling the government of Yemen for years in a brutal civil war that has seen thousands killed. They have dived into the region’s wider tensions by targeting Israeli vessels as they pass Yemen. Though Israel was the initial target, the attacks have hit the ships of multiple nations.
To ensure the safety of all vessels in the region, the US and UK have launched attacks against Houthi missile sights in Yemen. Thus far, the strikes have yet to deter the rebels.
Iran Strikes Back
Iran launched attacks against alleged terrorist sites in Syria, Iraq, and Pakistan after a deadly terrorist attack on its soil a few weeks ago. The attacks led to condemnation from all of the targeted nations, with Pakistan launching retaliatory strikes against terrorists on Iranian soil.
The recent developments threaten to engulf the region in a wider war. The Middle East is split along multiple lines, with the biggest divide between the Sunnis of Saudi Arabia and the Shia of Iran. The other large divide is between Israel and the rest of the region.
The Role Of The US In The Middle East
The US is aligned with the Israelis and Saudis. Attempts have been made to bridge this alliance to bring Israel and Saudi Arabia together, but the current war in Gaza has stifled such talk.
Until the fighting in Gaza comes to an end, tensions will remain high. They are unlikely to dissipate substantially until the Palestinians have their own state. After the Palestinian terror attacks of October 7th, that appears to be a long way off.
With 2024 being a presidential election year in the US, the Biden administration will surely be pulling out all the stops to prevent an all-out regional war. It looks like they will have their work cut out for them.