WH NSC Kirby: Houthi Attacks In Red Sea Are Escalatory

White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby has told reporters that the Biden administration is, "going to do everything we can to protect shipping in the Red Sea," and states that although the US, "does not seek conflict," the attacks are "escalatory," and the US, "will consult with partners about next steps if attacks continue."

• Kirby warns that Houthis, "have a choice to make, will bear the consequences for failing to stop Red Sea attacks."
• The US has issued numerous statements warning that the Yemen-based-Iran-backed Houthi rebels will face unspecified consequences if they continue to conduct attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
• Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in Bahrain today: “We’ve been clear with more than 20 other countries that if this continues, as it did yesterday, there will be consequences.”
• Strategy on how best to deal with the Houthi threat is unclear. One of the first acts of the Biden administration was to revoke the Houthi terrorist group designation over fears of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
• There are concerns that any direct military action against the Houthis could risk metastasizing the conflict and draw Iran into a regional war.
• Bloomberg notes: "Saudi officials, while wanting to stop the attacks, have expressed nervousness to the US and others about any military action in Yemen..."
• Reuters notes that, "although a U.N.-brokered ceasefire collapsed in October 2022, Yemen has enjoyed relative calm as the Houthis and Saudi Arabia negotiate a settlement."