White House National Security Council Press Secretary John Kirby could not answer why the Houthi rebels do not fear President Joe Biden.
Daily Caller White House correspondent Reagan Reese, after Biden said Thursday that airstrikes against Iranian-backed rebels have so far proven ineffective. asked the question at a press conference on Friday. The president said the United States would continue airstrikes despite their ineffectiveness.
“John, President Biden acknowledged yesterday that the retaliatory strikes against the Houthis were ineffective,” Reese began. “Why aren't they afraid of America?”
“Well, you have to ask what the Houthis are thinking. We're not going to get between the ears of the Houthi leaders,” Kirby said. “They claim it's about Gaza, but it's not. They claim this is some effort by the US and UK to wage war on them. It's not. I We are simply trying to do two things: We are trying to protect our naval vessels and sailors, and the naval vessels and sailors of other nations who are with us in the Red Sea, and we are trying to protect our own naval vessels and sailors. It is to protect.”
“This is about self-defense and, again, about this conflict. First of all, we don't want conflict and we don't need there to be conflict. But if the Houthis attack “If we make the right decision to stop this, the firefights we've seen over the last few days don't have to last much longer,” Kirby continued.
“Yes, but they are a terrorist group attacking U.S. interests. Won't your response deter them?” Reese asked. (Related article: Following continued attacks on ships, the US carries out additional attacks on the Houthis)
“Again, terrorist groups commit acts of violence, but they often do so not just to commit acts of violence, but to make political appearances or convey some sort of political message.” said Kirby.
Kirby said he was not aware of any alternative response to the conflict near the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, where the Houthis have launched at least 27 missile and drone attacks on commercial ships in the region. The United States launched retaliatory attacks against terrorist organizations on January 11th.
“They need to stop attacking,” Kirby added. “If they don't do that, we will continue to protect ourselves and make it difficult for them to act.”
The United States struck two anti-ship missile facilities on Thursday, the fifth time in a week that it attacked a Houthi weapons facility. Despite retaliatory attacks, the Houthis continue to attack commercial ships.
