>> Today, the un security
council demanded that houthi
rebels stop attacking ships in
the red sea.
The U.S. Military has said there
have been more than 2000 attacks
in the last seven weeks.
The most serious was yesterday.
Drones and the missiles were
fired at allied warships.
We look at the escalation and
options.
>> In the middle of the red sea,
British sailors shoot down
drones and missiles.
This was the largest and most
complex attack.
>> If these attacks continue as
they did yesterday, there will
be consequences.
>> The British defense minister
-- >> We cannot have a
situation where major sea route
is being cut off by terrorists.
We therefore must act.
>> Since mid-november, houthi
rebels have targeted and sees
international vessels and
kidnapped foreign sailors.
They have said they target ships
linked to Israel.
But today a spokesman said the
target was an American warship,
retribution for the U.S. Navy
last month sinking houthi boats
and killington fighters --
killing 10 fighters.
>> We will not hesitate to deal
appropriately with all hospital
threats within the legitimate
right to defend our country,
people, and nation.
>> Some 15% of world shipping
goes through the Suez canal
promotes links the red sea with
the mediterranean.
Houthi attacks of upended
international commerce, forcing
shippers to reroute vessels and
increasing shipping costs.
Last month, the U.S. Launched a
multinational coalition to
protect commercial shipping.
Last week, the U.S. And 13 other
countries issued what an
official called a final warning.
They will bear the
responsibility and consequences
should they continue to threaten
lives, the global economy, and
the free flow of commerce.
So far, the U.S. Is not followed
through with that threat.
>> The best solution to this
situation not escalating is for
the houthis to stop these
attacks.
>> They are group backed by Iran
that in 2014 seized the capital
of Yemen.
They have fought Saudi Arabia in
a brutal war.
For 20 months, there has been a
shaky cease-fire.
Houthi missiles are based on
Iranian technology.
Iran is coordinating the current
attacks and helping provide
targets.
>> The draft resolution is
adopted.
>> The un security council
passed a resolution demanding
that they cease these attacks
and release the hostages.
>> We will not stand by and
allow the houthis to threaten
civilian vessels and hold global
food and energy supplies
hostage.
>> What is motivating them to
launch these tax?
What should the U.S. To?
-- Do?
We turn the director of a middle
East security council.
Thank you so much.
What are they gaining by
launching these attacks?
>> Thank you so much for having
me.
I think the houthis have very
little to lose by launching
these attacks.
They do not have access to
Yemen's energy resources.
They are trying to negotiate a
final resolution in terms of the
long-running conflict with Saudi
Arabia.
This provides the greater
leverage in those negotiations.
I think they see this as a
realistic policy option to try
to better their position for the
long run.
>> Do they also risked something
by continuing these attacks,
especially after they came out
today and said explicitly that
the target was a U.S. Navy ship?
Certainly they could.
The U.S. Has put together a new
coalition for the red sea.
Multiple countries have joined.
Not some of the golf countries
like Saudi Arabia.
They have long been in conflict.
It is possible that the U.S.
Will respond.
We saw some discussion today in
reference to allies considering
that.
The houthis have been having a
war for years now.
I am skeptical that a response,
especially a one-time response,
is going to deter them if they
think it will better their
situation in the >> >> Months to
come.
The U.S. Last week gave what
they called a final warning.
You heard earlier today John
Kirby from the national security
council sending the message that
they still hope the houthis stop
these attacks.
Using the U.S. Should launch a
military strike?
>> I think a military strike
will likely be necessary at this
point to try to restore
deterrence.
I don't think a military strike
is likely to stop the houthis
from continuing their attacks.
Not having that deterrence
signals to other actors in the
region that they may have a
level of freedom to attack.
Or that Hezbollah might be able
to push the boundaries in
Lebanon and Israel.
The U.S. Has said very clearly
it is their goal to avoided
international conflict.
And bringing out about the end
of the conflict.
>> The other argument I hear is
a military strike would open up
another front.
The weapons are capabilities
they have would quickly be
refilled by Iran.
What is your response to that?
>> It is probably true.
It assumes that another front
has not already opened.
We have seen these attacks sense
the 19th of November.
We are seeing 50% of all
maritime commerce going through
the red sea.
We are starting to see huge
amounts go allow -- around that.
I think we are on the precipice
of being there already.
This is clearly been a strategy
that has not worked.
This increases the chance that
we are in a regional conflict.
>> Could Saudi Arabia actually
wants the U.S. To launch this
military strike to degrade
houthi capabilities.
>> I think they are certainly
supportive of military strikes
if the U.S. Is successful in
that.
And having some level of
deterrence.
If the U.S. Says we will do a
strike but not keep the pressure
on, I think the Saudi's will be
pretty annoyed.
And think that it didn't do
much.
Because he did not stay involved
in the conflict.
>> The national security council
spokeswoman declassified
intelligence saying that Iran is
deeply involved in planning the
operations against commercial
vessels.
And was providing tactical
intelligence on that vessel.
How does that work?
>> There's a long history of
Iran providing help to partners
throughout the region.
That includes the houthis.
They may have identified targets
that they passed on.
To validate them and say this
makes sense.
There are a variety of ways that
can work.
They are helping them take the
strikes successfully.