US strikes were ‘inevitable’ but will not put an end to Iran-backed militia attacks, says former ambassador

In the last few moments, MEZIESBLOG has been speaking to the former British ambassador to Libya and Iran, Sir Richard Dalton.

He said the strikes on Iraq and Syria were “inevitable” – but the difficulty is the conflict is so complicated. 

“The US is like a boxer with an extremely strong left but a very weak right hand,” he said. 

He explained the US has not proven to be strong in getting aid into Gaza or dealing with the “increasing evidence” of war crimes being committed, meaning it can’t advance the essentials needed for a more stable region. 

Unfortunately, he said he does not think America’s actions will put an end to the Iran-backed militia attacks. 

“It will certainly make it much harder to do so,” he added. 

Nearly a dozen fighter jets sent to repel Houthi drones

Amid the US strikes in Syria and Iraq, Israel’s military operation in Gaza, and a deadly attack on US forces in Jordan, tensions in the Middle East are continuing to mount. 

Another area of concern has been in the Red Sea, where the Yemeni Houthi group has been targeting shipping vessels. 

The militants have said they are striking ships with links to Israel in retaliation to its war with Hamas. 

However, several ships have had very tenuous links to the country – and some haven’t had any at all. 

Last night, the US sent nearly a dozen F/A-18 fighter jets to repel multiple incoming drones fired by the Houthis, US officials told NBC News.

Fighter jets were supported by EA-18 Growlers protecting the jets from Houthi defences, they added.

The attacks were not part of larger retaliatory actions in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, US defence officials said.

Yesterday, a Houthi spokesperson said the group “will not hesitate to carry out further military operations against the Zionist enemy” despite retaliation in the Red Sea from US coalition forces.