The common history and explanation of this conflict leaves out some key facts. After the beginning of the (current phase of the) Israel-HAMAS war on 7 October, the (Yemeni group Ansar Allah, known by their detractors as the) Houthis declared their support for HAMAS. Throughout late October and early November, the Houthis repeatedly launched missiles and remotely-piloted attack aircraft at Israel, attempting to make themselves a belligerent party to the Israel-HAMAS war (on the side of HAMAS).
In several of these incidents, United States military forces detected Houthi military assets enroute to Israel, and acted independently (i.e., without consulting Israel) to destroy those assets. That is, the U.S. used force against Houthi military assets that were NOT engaged in or preparing an attempt to attack the U.S. military, U.S. territory, or U.S. citizens. These incidents preceded any Houthi attacks on other targets.
After a few such incidents, the Houthis began attempting to attack U.S. military forces in the area. The U.S. destroyed the attacking Houthi assets in every instance.
After a few of these failed attempts, the Houthis -- likely in an effort to succeed in inflicting more significant damage on both the Israelis (whom they were originally attacking) and the U.S. (which had attacked the Houthis on its own initiative) -- began attacking commercial shipping that they claimed to be linked to Israel or the U.S. and its allies. The U.S. and the UK have now responded by attacking Houthi-controlled territory directly.
It is likely that, had the U.S. not freely chosen to intervene when it observed the Houthis attacking Israel, in order to prevent the Houthis from doing so successfully, the Houthis would not have launched their campaign of attacks on commercial shipping.
So the U.S. President (or less likely, his officers, acting without his authorization) initiated a war with the Houthis by intervening against them on Israel's behalf, and did so in October, without any Congressional authorization.
So where were the US and UK when the Saudi barbarians were blockading Yemen?
Oh yeah, they were assisting in the blockade. So much for Muh Freedom Of Navigation.
The common history and explanation of this conflict leaves out some key facts. After the beginning of the (current phase of the) Israel-HAMAS war on 7 October, the (Yemeni group Ansar Allah, known by their detractors as the) Houthis declared their support for HAMAS. Throughout late October and early November, the Houthis repeatedly launched missiles and remotely-piloted attack aircraft at Israel, attempting to make themselves a belligerent party to the Israel-HAMAS war (on the side of HAMAS).
In several of these incidents, United States military forces detected Houthi military assets enroute to Israel, and acted independently (i.e., without consulting Israel) to destroy those assets. That is, the U.S. used force against Houthi military assets that were NOT engaged in or preparing an attempt to attack the U.S. military, U.S. territory, or U.S. citizens. These incidents preceded any Houthi attacks on other targets.
After a few such incidents, the Houthis began attempting to attack U.S. military forces in the area. The U.S. destroyed the attacking Houthi assets in every instance.
After a few of these failed attempts, the Houthis -- likely in an effort to succeed in inflicting more significant damage on both the Israelis (whom they were originally attacking) and the U.S. (which had attacked the Houthis on its own initiative) -- began attacking commercial shipping that they claimed to be linked to Israel or the U.S. and its allies. The U.S. and the UK have now responded by attacking Houthi-controlled territory directly.
It is likely that, had the U.S. not freely chosen to intervene when it observed the Houthis attacking Israel, in order to prevent the Houthis from doing so successfully, the Houthis would not have launched their campaign of attacks on commercial shipping.
So the U.S. President (or less likely, his officers, acting without his authorization) initiated a war with the Houthis by intervening against them on Israel's behalf, and did so in October, without any Congressional authorization.