DeepSummary
The US and UK have launched airstrikes on Yemen in response to attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels on commercial ships in the Red Sea. The Houthis have been disrupting global trade routes and driving up costs by targeting vessels, even hijacking some ships. The military action aims to stop these attacks on shipping, which have continued despite warnings.
The podcast features an interview with BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner, who has visited Yemen and met with the Houthis. Gardner explains the complex situation, detailing the Houthis' origins, their links to Iran, and their motivations which include supporting Palestinians in Gaza. He notes the difficulty of the situation, with the Houthis threatening retaliation against the strikes.
The potential escalation and spread of the conflict across the Middle East is discussed. While the US and UK say they are acting to protect shipping, critics see a double standard compared to failing to stop civilian deaths in Gaza. Gardner warns the situation could spiral out of control, even if unintentionally, given the volatile region and Iran's involvement.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The US and UK launched airstrikes against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen in response to the rebels' attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea that were disrupting global trade.
- The Houthis have threatened retaliation, raising fears the conflict could escalate further across the volatile Middle East region.
- The Houthis frame their attacks as supporting Palestinians in Gaza, boosting domestic support despite their poor human rights record.
- Iran backs the Houthis but likely wants to avoid full-scale war with the US and allies over Yemen, though risks of unintended escalation remain high.
- Critics see a double standard in the US/UK using force to protect shipping but not to stop civilian deaths in Gaza.
- Damage to global trade from the Red Sea shipping disruptions was driving military intervention to stop the Houthi attacks.
- The Houthis' resilience after years of Saudi airstrikes emboldens them to confront Western navies over shipping.
- The complex web of Middle East conflicts and hostilities creates a tinderbox where clashes over Yemen could metastasize regionally.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “They've launched the airstrikes because the Houthis have refused to stop attacking shipping in the Red Sea.“ by Frank Gardner
- “On the one hand, as you say, they're calling for restraint and trying to stop the war from escalating and metastasizing into other arenas. And yet at the same time, by taking this action, however justified or not, against the Houthis, and the Houthis are the guilty party in terms of the shipping. I mean, the shipping didn't attack the Houthis. The Houthis attacked the shipping. But by taking this action with these airstrikes, inevitably it's raising tensions.“ by Frank Gardner
- “Iran has been quite careful at how it calibrates its confrontation with the US and Israel and western powers. It doesn't want to have a full scale war.“ by Frank Gardner
- “The stakes are very high and it's never worth actually going to a full scale war. The US would have overwhelming firepower, but the damage to the region would be catastrophic and everyone wants to avoid that.“ by Frank Gardner
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Episode Information
The Global Story
BBC World Service
1/12/24
In this special edition of The Global Story, Katya Adler talks to the BBC’s security correspondent Frank Gardner about the strikes on Houthis and the strategy behind them. Who are the Houthis and how are they reacting? We hear how US and UK naval forces in the Red Sea have launched air strikes against Houthi targets across Yemen. They’re in response to repeated attacks by the Iran-backed group on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The Houthis in Yemen have been attacking ships in the Red Sea since November, disrupting the global shipping trade and causing concerns about increased oil prices. The Houthis say the strikes on their positions in Yemen will not go without "punishment or retaliation". So what happens next? How is all of this directly linked to events in Gaza and how does it represent an escalation of the crisis that is gripping the region? The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. We’re keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. #TheGlobalStory We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. Today’s episode of The Global Story was made by Alice Aylett-Roberts, Neal Razzell, Tom Kavanagh and Emilia Jansson. The technical producer was Gareth Jones. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.