France, Denmark, and Germany have supported the American-British strikes targeting Ansar Allah Houthi group targets in Yemen. Meanwhile, China and Saudi Arabia expressed their concerns about the recent developments. Russia criticized the attacks and called for an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
Nasser Kanani, the spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, condemned in a statement the "military attacks carried out by the United States and the United Kingdom this morning on several cities in Yemen." Adding, "We see this as a clear violation of Yemen's sovereignty, territorial unity, and breach of international laws, regulations, and rights."
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the international community to act responsibly to prevent the expansion of war in the region, emphasizing that Washington bears responsibility for the consequences of militarily targeting Yemen and the resulting outcomes.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry considered the US-British military strikes as part of the support for the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, stating that the outcome of those strikes will likely lead to increased insecurity and instability in the region.
Earlier on Friday, the United States and Britain launched air raids against Houthi targets in Yemen, with an American official telling Al Jazeera that the strikes targeted radar sites, drone, and missile platforms, and coastal surveillance sites. He indicated that the operation has ended, "but we reserve the right to respond if the threats continue."
Al Jazeera's correspondent in Yemen reported that American-British bombardment targeted Sanaa airport, the vicinity of Hodeidah airport, areas in the Zabid district, and Kahlan camp in Saada.
Russia Calls for Security Council Session
For its part, Russia has called for an emergency session of the Security Council following the American-British attacks on Yemen.
A diplomatic source told Al Jazeera that Russia invited to convene an emergency Security Council session this Friday regarding the American-British raids that targeted Houthi locations in Yemen.
The source explained that Russia sent a message to the members of the Security Council, considering the use of force in Yemen a violation of the United Nations Charter.
The Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman said that the strikes on Yemen show a complete disregard for international law.
Pictures of the American-British bombing on the city of Hodeidah in western Yemen#حرب_غزة #الأخبار pic.twitter.com/LnbCX41toP
— Al Jazeera Channel (@AJArabic) January 12, 2024
China Expresses Concern
China also expressed its concern about the escalation of tensions in the Red Sea, calling on the parties involved to "de-escalate and exercise restraint to prevent the widening of conflict," according to a statement by the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.
Mao confirmed that China urges "all parties to jointly maintain international waterways and avoid harassing civilian ships, as this harms the global economy and trade."
Hezbollah Condemns
Hezbollah also "strongly" condemned the American-British attack on Yemen, emphasizing in a statement released today, Friday, that "the blatant American aggression" confirms that the US is "a full partner in the tragedies and massacres committed by the Zionist enemy in Gaza."
The group reaffirmed that "this aggression will not deter Yemen from continuing its path in supporting the Palestinian people and their rightful and just cause."
Saudi Arabia Calls for Restraint
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia expressed its great concern today, Friday, about the military operations in the Red Sea region and the aerial raids that targeted Yemen.
In a statement relayed by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), it stressed the importance of maintaining the security and stability of the Red Sea region and called for "restraint and avoidance of escalation in light of the current events in the region."
Jordan Watches with Concern
The Jordanian Foreign Minister stated that Jordan is watching the developments in the Red Sea with concern, as reported by the official news agency (PETRA).
Iraq: The West Commits Another Folly
In Iraq, the political advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister, Fadi Al-Shammari, stated today, Friday, on the X platform, that the West "is expanding the circle of conflict and tensions in the region."
He added that "while the West is supposed to work on repairing its shame with the fallacious human and animal rights stories, which have been discredited by the stance towards Israel's war against Palestine, Gaza's children, women, and civilians, here it is committing another folly by widening the circle of conflict and increasing tensions in the area, while calling on others to exercise restraint and reduce tension and not to escalate."
Support for American Strikes
On the other hand, France reiterated its condemnation of the Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea, stating that the Houthis bear a "very serious" responsibility for the escalation in the region.
In Denmark, Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stated in a statement today, Friday, that his country fully supports the American-British strikes against the Houthis in Yemen.
The German Foreign Ministry also stated today that the American-British strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen aimed to prevent further attacks in the Red Sea, underscoring that their purpose is "to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea."
The British Minister of Armed Forces, James Heappey, said to Radio Times today, Friday, that the strikes carried out by Britain and the United States overnight against Houthi military targets in Yemen were in self-defense.
The American President, Joe Biden, also confirmed that the strikes executed by the United States and Britain against the Houthis are considered "defensive," warning of further actions if the Houthis continue to attack ships in the Red Sea.
Biden emphasized that the recent military intervention in the region was necessary as the Houthi attacks "threaten the freedom of navigation through one of the world’s most vital waterways."
Houthis Threaten Retaliation
On the other hand, the Houthi group said that the attacks carried out by the United States and Britain on the movement will not go "unanswered and unpunished," noting that 5 fighters were killed, and 6 others were injured while asserting their continued efforts to prevent the passage of ships in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea.
A leader of the Ansar Allah Houthi group, Abdullah bin Amer, told Al Jazeera that the strikes targeted military locations around Sanaa and Hodeidah and described the strikes as "swift." However, he stressed that the Houthis did not hesitate to respond and assured that the group has "capabilities, which enable us to exercise legitimate self-defense."
Ali Al-Qahoum, a Houthi Ansar Allah leader and member of the group's political office, said his forces would forcefully respond to the American and British warships in the Red Sea.
Houthi leader Hussein Al-Ezzi stated that the United States and Britain should prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the severe consequences "for this blatant aggression," according to him.
