Is escalating the conflict by bombing the Houthis the way to go?

It is going to take more than the odd bomb being lobbed at them to defeat them, and this is what is worrying me

That’s a bit of an insulting comment to make. Sea Viper missiles used to shoot down the drones cost millions so it’s not a course of action that’s taken lightly. Spare a thought for the men and women serving on board the US and British ships who are protecting the lives of those aboard the cargo ships, not to mention the cargo itself.

You can't negotiate with terrorists, backward thinking uneducated fuelled by drugs. Well done USA and the UK.

Diplomacy is always a better option.
If it works.

I’ve read that the USA hoped that by taking the Houthis off the terrorist list, there would be a chance of peace. Well that backfired didn’t it?
I imagine the Houthis will be back on the list by now?

Interesting posts.

So, the reason I wondered if diplomacy might be the better alternative to military action is, that, SA who are much better armed than the Houthis have been fighting them since about 2014 and the Houthis have simply become stronger both militarily and politically. It is going to take more than the odd bomb being lobbed at them to defeat them, and this is what is worrying me.

Knew you would say something along those lines Gloranny.I must be psychic.
Ukraine is at war with the aggressor Russia, Houthi rebels are boarding ships with violence and often stealing them.That’s any shipping btw no matter who owns it or where it’s destined to end up.They are using Gaza as a convenient cover for this, and are armed and encouraged by that cesspit of a regime in Iran.If you can’t see that then head to Specsavers.

So let's get this straight. The sinking of Russian ships by Ukraine is OK because they are fighting a war using weapons supplied by the west. The sinking of ships by the Houthi government of Yemen in support of Gaza, a country manifestly unable to defend itself is wrong because the government is terrorist.
But it isn't. Joe Biden removed the Houthis from the US terrorist list in 2021.
Yemen is a disaster area where over 19000 people have been killed by airstrikes from Saudi Arabia and many more are starving.
Some of us have been advocating the UK stop supplying weapons which are used by the Saudis in Yemen for many years. Will more bombing solve the problem? I can see no reason why it should.

petra

Ronib
I think they’ll join in when needed 😉

Yes. Only a matter of time.

Ronib
I think they’ll join in when needed 😉

Farzanah

Failing to vote for ceasefire in Gaza has provoked this. Seems to me that goods are more valuable than lives. Why do we have to be US poodle?

What would ceasefire do,oh yes allow Hamas to regroup, replan, and build more hiding places amongst the poor civilians. Hamas is solely to blame for this. Are you as concerned about the poor Ukrainians being bombed to hell as well.?

Galaxy

I have for many years held a particular (not positive) view of America as a superpower, I am beginning to change my view I think. I have never been as grateful for the presence of America as a global force so to speak than I have been in the last few months.

I agree. I think America is damned if they do and damned if they don’t.

It’s a worrying time but as others have said, diplomacy doesn’t work with terrorists.

The chain reaction of evil - wars producing more wars - must be broken - or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation. Martin Luther King Jr.

Indeed it's always been a brilliant idea to agree to absolutely everything someone requests because they threaten force.

Even if we voted for a ceasefire in Gaza, we in the UK have no way of enforcing our vote.
I am struggling to understand why Saudi Arabia is not actively fighting the Houthis along with the USA and UK.

Failing to vote for ceasefire in Gaza has provoked this. Seems to me that goods are more valuable than lives. Why do we have to be US poodle?

Couldn't agree more! Where indeed are the French, Germans and other countries who rely on this trade route? .it's always us and the US, and always us two who get the disapproval of other nations who do in fact benefit! Hypocrisy comes.to mind.

I agree with those who say that it would be better if we could have more countries prepared to get involved.

Has diplomacy with pirates ever worked?

From SKY news website

Why US and UK indeed? Where are the rest of the western countries in need of these trade routes?

I'm glad someone else thinks like me oreo and sodapop, I'm not saying we shouldn't but why can more of the European countries not see the threat or be willing to do something? Just like in Ukraine, they are tardy with arms and money.
China always appears to sit and watch very carefully.

where are the other countries, do we always have to do their fighting for them

We get involved in too many foreign conflicts while other governments sit on their hands and do nothing.

Diplomacy is unlikely to find a Houthi to talk with. The ultimate issue is the Iranian regime which stirs up trouble wherever it can. You can damage the web but the spider will rebuild it and this spider desires nuclear weapons. A bunch of religious bigots in charge of nuclear missiles is worrying.

I agree Bella23 why is it always UK & USA . China doesn't get involved either.

Whitewavemark2

It seems to me it is the very worse course to take.

Surely diplomacy is much more sensible?

😁That’s what the late not so great Corbyn would have written.

I agree with everyone else, you can’t allow a terrorist group to control the seas and to try and steal the goods for themselves and Iran and to attack civilian ships and UK or US ships.

Bella23 Yeah exactly, where are the other countries, do we always have to do their fighting for them.