Tensions in the Red Sea region have once again drawn the attention of the international community. The United States, together with 12 countries, issued an "ultimatum" to the Houthis, demanding that they stop attacks on merchant ships linked to Israel. Behind this incident is the Houthi constant attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea as a show of support for Gaza.
On January 3, the United States, along with 12 countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan, issued a warning to the Houthis, in which they said they would face serious consequences if they did not immediately stop attacking ships at sea. This is seen as a possible "ultimatum" from the United States to the Houthis, suggesting that the United States will consider a military strike if the attacks continue.
However, the US threat did not have the desired effect immediately. On the same day, the Houthis announced a successful attack on a container ship bound for an Israeli port and said they would continue to attack Israeli-linked merchant ships as long as Israel continued to impose a blockade on Gaza. In addition, they warned the United States and other countries not to provide protection to merchant ships so as not to get involved in the conflict.
Although tensions between the United States and the Houthis have escalated, they are still in the stage of a tentative contest.
Previously, on December 31, the Houthis attacked a Singaporean-flagged merchant ship in the Red Sea, and the US military sent helicopters to help, successfully sinking three speedboats and killing 10 Houthi members.
The Palestinian-Israeli conflict has already shown signs of de-escalation, and the United States does not want another war in the Middle East, let alone directly intervene in the conflict. In the coming period, the two sides are likely to continue to test each other to find a solution that does not escalate the conflict.
