JERUSALEM (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated on Thursday that the time has come to take more decisive action against Iran-backed militias that have been targeting American forces and ships in the Middle East. This announcement comes in response to the recent deaths of three U.S. service members in Jordan, for which the U.S. is preparing to respond with significant action.
The threat of retaliation following the deaths has led some militant groups to claim they are ceasing hostilities. However, as of Thursday, Yemen’s Houthi rebels continued to carry out attacks, including firing a ballistic missile at a Liberian-flagged container ship in the Red Sea.
Speaking at his first press conference since being hospitalized on Jan. 1 due to complications from prostate cancer treatment, Austin emphasized the need to take away even more capability from the Iran-backed militias than in past actions.
In recent months, Iranian-backed militants have launched numerous attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria, as well as on commercial and military ships in the Red Sea. These attacks have drawn a series of retaliatory U.S. strikes against militant facilities in the region.
The escalating hostilities have also been linked to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, with the Houthis claiming to be targeting ships over Israel’s offensive in Gaza. However, the attacks have endangered shipping in a key global trade route, impacting trade between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
In response to the continued attacks, U.S. military forces recently intercepted a ballistic missile and destroyed 10 Houthi drones, as well as a ground control station used by the rebels. The ongoing conflict underscores the complexity of regional tensions and the challenge of ending the cycle of violence in the Middle East.