The U.S. military had an "intense conflict" with Houthi forces in the Red Sea. What information is noteworthy? How will the situation in the Red Sea evolve?

The U.S. military eventually did not dare to attack Iran, instead engaging in back-and-forth skirmishes with Iran’s ally, the Houthi forces.

Empire at dusk, so many emotions.

I’m curious, how can the Houthis engage in “intense conflicts” with the U.S. Navy? How are these intense conflicts conducted? Are there exchanges and casualties on both sides?

Is there an expert who can explain this?

Two years ago, even the most radical wouldn’t have imagined the Houthis in intense conflict with the U.S.

What does it mean to engage in intense conflict with the U.S. Navy?

Yesterday, the American fans were as excited as if they had been injected with adrenaline; today, they are deflated. They believed that once the U.S. military made a move, the Houthis would not dare to retaliate, but surprisingly, the Houthis did retaliate.

The U.S. Central Command issued a statement on December 31st, local time, stating that the U.S. military sunk 3 Houthi armed vessels in the Red Sea.

Breaking: Multiple U.S. military bases have been attacked.

U.S. Military Engages in Direct Conflict with Houthi Forces

The U.S. military could no longer hold back and has finally opened fire! A serious confrontation is about to unfold.

4 Houthi armed speedboats surrounded the “Maersk Hangzhou”, prompting immediate response from the U.S. Navy’s “USS Eisenhower” aircraft carrier and “Gravely” destroyer which deployed helicopters for rescue;

Eventually, the U.S. forces fired at the Houthi armed speedboats and utilized “Hellfire” missiles to destroy 3 of the boats, while the remaining one fled; resulting in 10 Houthi casualties.

But it doesn’t end there.

Having “endured beyond its tolerance,” the U.S. is now assessing direct aerial military operations against the Houthi forces in Yemen.

If the U.S. decides to go through with it, a declaration of full-scale war against the Houthi forces will be announced in the coming hours.

Before making the announcement, an apparent call for support was made:

“Wangcai, attack!”

The British military might participate in the action, deploying fighters and the “Diamond” missile destroyer. Additionally, Cameron has publicly stated that Iran is responsible for preventing attacks launched by the Houthi forces.

While the UK talks tough and intimidates the Houthis with military force, it’s reminiscent of the “Empire on which the sun never sets.” However, their actions seem more like a determined effort to provoke Iran and the Houthis.

Currently, the U.S. and the UK are formulating a joint military operation plan to launch missile strikes against Houthi targets from the sea. The “USS Eisenhower” aircraft carrier and destroyers deployed near Yemen in the Red Sea are expected to participate in the strike. The U.S. Navy’s inventory of ship-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles in the Red Sea, along with the British Navy’s “Storm Shadow” cruise missiles, are sufficient to launch a strike involving hundreds of cruise missiles.

In addition, U.S. strategic bombers stationed in the Mediterranean and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean will also participate in the bombing.

To the Houthi forces, the direct engagement by the U.S. military was unexpected.

However, following this incident, the Houthis might use commercial ships as bait to ambush the rescuing U.S. forces.

Similarly, the Houthis might employ the tactic of “encirclement and relief” against the British Navy.

If the British Navy really deploys the “Diamond” missile destroyer, might it repeat the tragic loss of ships from the Falklands War?

Of course, knowing the nature of the Houthi forces, the situation won’t be that simple.

After the U.S. Navy sunk the Houthi speedboats, the Houthis declared an “unprecedented war” against the U.S., and also published maps of American bases in the Middle East:

“From today onward, we will engage in an unprecedented war against the Zionist American enemy. U.S. bases and interests will be under the control of our Yemeni armed forces.”

If things go as usual, the Houthis might next target U.S. bases with missiles and drones.

As of now, a comprehensive strike against the Houthi forces is just a plan for the U.S., and they might not dare to implement it.

All military operations by the U.S. Navy in the Middle East aim to maintain its hegemony; if a war starts and doesn’t lead to victory, it would be a significant loss of face and strategy.

The United States Strengthens Cooperation with Middle East Partners to Address 21st Century Challenges

On July 16, 2022, President Biden met with the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Jeddah, where he outlined the United States' Middle East strategy. Subsequently, the U.S. State Department provided a textual summary in the White House’s official website’s National Security Briefing, titled:

“The United States Strengthens Cooperation with Middle East Partners to Address 21st Century Challenges.”

In this briefing, the United States clearly stated that the core principle of its security strategy in the Middle East is to “not allow foreign or regional powers to jeopardize freedom of navigation through the Middle East’s waterways,” specifically mentioning “Bab al-Mandab” and “the Strait of Hormuz.”

It is noteworthy that maintaining the “uninterrupted” freedom of navigation in the international energy corridors of the Middle East has long been a core strategy of the U.S. government. In 2022, this was emphasized by President Biden (as seen in the previous paragraph), with the core logic being to counter Iran’s “increasing regional ambitions and influence.”

So, the central question here is not why the United States is “militarily intervening” but why it is “only now starting military intervention.”

The logic behind this has been explained in many of my previous responses. For the U.S. federal government (note, the executive branch, not other interest groups or the deep state) and other “Western allies,” the concern is about avoiding the escalation of actions: “escalating the Israeli-Palestinian military conflict (and its underlying crimes against humanity) will spread risks across the entire region.”

The current Israeli-Palestinian conflict has stirred the entire region into turmoil, and it is at a boiling point. The U.S. administration is concerned that deepening involvement could divert global resources already tied up in the Ukrainian theater, resulting in unnecessary waste of U.S. global resources.

In the context of the United States' global strategy, “orderly reduction of presence in the Middle East” has already been established policy. The United States certainly does not want to be dragged recklessly into the conflict by Israel.

However, the internal balance is delicate, with a significant number of hardliners towards Iran within the United States (even within the executive branch). For example, Lindsey Olin Graham, the former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and current senior Republican senator, has repeatedly advocated in the U.S. media that the U.S. should “HIT IRAN” and “Blow it off the map.” Many U.S. political analysts believe that Lindsey Olin Graham represents the extreme conservative faction in the United States, with extreme animosity towards Iran and a desire for a permanent solution to the Iranian issue. They view the current moment (with Houthi support from Iran) as the optimal window.

Therefore, the U.S. federal government quickly moved from “restraint” to a state of uncertainty. The logic here is simple: just last December, Houthi militants launched 34 military attacks in the Red Sea and fired nearly 100 missiles and drones. In the eyes of U.S. conservatives, this was seen as provocation, almost a direct challenge.

For the U.S. federal authorities, it is now time for military action, driven by significant domestic pressure and the fact that it does disrupt the U.S. “red line” (the “core principle”). U.S. conservatives believe this encourages Iran’s regional ambitions and influence, and the “federal authorities” have to admit that if they don’t intervene, the Houthi rebels might do more, and inaction would be seen as “encouragement.”

In summary, the current situation is quite clear: the United States is increasingly inclined to use force to address the military risks posed by the Houthi militants. In fact, my previous articles have already made this prediction (you can refer to my past responses).

In this context, the U.S. executive branch still hopes to define the military boundaries through “restrained military action,” while the U.S. deep state and their interest groups hope the U.S. Navy can do more.

In short, this boiling pot of water has no side trying to remove a few logs; instead, they are continually adding fuel to the fire based on their “geopolitical interests,” opening the new year of 2024 with chaos and confusion.

The heavenly soldiers are finally giving up their strategic buttock strength.

………………………………………………

The likes are increasing quite rapidly, haha.

No way to repay.

Show everyone the cats and dogs I took pictures of before.

Twenty years ago.

The Heavenly Soldiers should have bombed it a long time ago…

There weren’t so many threats, it was all about appeasement policies…

The Heavenly Soldiers have really deteriorated over the past twenty years…

Waiting for Biden to wave the waste paper, thinking that the people will chant: This is the peace of our era.

Great Victory, Great Victory

Red Sea Great Victory

The heavenly army has mobilized its main fleet to annihilate the pirate fleet completely.

They have jointly sunk two pirate main battleships of 7000 kilograms each, causing immeasurable damage.

The heavenly army’s main aircraft carrier, with the force of thunder and lightning, has successfully advanced into the Atlantic Ocean.

• Central Daily, Riyadh Branch

Escalation of Conflict in the Middle East

The situation in the Middle East has taken an unexpected turn, with the Houthi armed group engaging in a fierce conflict with the United States.

Previously, the conflict between Israel and Palestine had no direct connection to the Houthi armed group, despite the wealthy and influential Arab nations staying on the sidelines. However, the Houthi armed group has now entered the fray, intensifying the situation.

In a surprising twist of events:

• Hamas and Israel are engaged in direct confrontations.
• The Houthi armed group is locked in a “fierce conflict” with the United States.

This level of conflict was unimaginable before October 7, 2023. Armed with a nationalist ideology, these groups have displayed formidable combat capabilities.

The United States initially aimed to support Israel but ended up being drawn into the conflict directly. The situation demands swift action from the US, either to engage or withdraw. Delaying further could lead to broader involvement in the Middle East.

However, the Houthi armed group’s strength has left a more profound impact on not just the United States but also the wealthy and influential Arab nations. These groups, known for confronting even the United States, may potentially turn their attention towards those in power.

Furthermore, their backers, such as Iran, have not yet made a move. The situation suggests that the United States, the traditional ally of these influential figures, may no longer be able to contain these emerging forces.

It is a matter of life and death for these powerful figures to determine who can effectively control these rising forces. It’s likely that they have already started securing their interests and are waiting for the demands of the new formidable players.

In the years to come, when the United States' Middle East policy collapses entirely, people may look back and conclude that it was the unexpected decisions, like those of the enduring Biden, that contributed to the escalation of the situation by pushing for reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Israel in the midst of a boiling cauldron.

Yemen’s Houthi Forces vs. Saudi Arabia: A Surprising Turn of Events

Yemen has become a battleground where the unexpected has happened. The current Houthi armed group is far from the “slipper army” it was seven or eight years ago.

In 2016, the Saudi military, the primary adversary of the Houthi armed group, had military expenditures exceeding even those of Russia. In terms of military spending as a percentage of GDP, Saudi Arabia reached a staggering 10%, a rarity globally, second only to North Korea.

▲ 2016 World Military Expenditure Ranking

Moreover, on the surface, the Saudi military appeared formidable, and their weapon systems justified their global ranking as the third or fourth most potent military. In the Middle East and North Africa, apart from Israel, the Saudi military’s equipment was more than a match, even when compared to European standards.

▲ Saudi Land Forces equipped with advanced tanks like the M1A2S and armored vehicles

▲ Saudi soldiers were fully equipped, unlike some US troops who had to purchase their tactical gear.

▲ Saudi soldiers being trained by US instructors, with complex expressions suggesting some challenges.

▲ The Chinese DF-3 medium-range ballistic missile sold to Saudi Arabia made them one of the few nations in the Middle East with significant firepower, and the transaction cost more than China’s entire foreign exchange reserves at that time.

▲ The expensive Caesar self-propelled howitzer, with Saudi Arabia acquiring around 200 of them.

▲ A plethora of fighter jets, including F-15, F-16, Mirage 2000, and others, with a substantial Saudi air force parade.

▲ The Saudi Air Force parade was known for its grandeur.

▲ The Apache helicopters, with nearly 200 in Saudi service.

▲ The surplus of Su-25s exceeded Saudi Arabia’s actual needs, resulting in many being left abandoned in the desert.

▲ In terms of the navy, Saudi Arabia also had several French La Fayette-class frigates. However, as a landlocked country, its navy had the lowest significance and expenditure.

That said, let’s get to the main point. In warfare, it is often said that weapons and equipment are not everything. However, with the advancement of technology, the significance of sheer combat willpower in reversing the tide of battle has diminished. Despite this, the Saudi military achieved results that greatly exceeded our expectations, considering their low standards were comparable to producing a video game with the graphics of an old Nintendo.

▲ This iconic photo of a Saudi soldier blindly firing his weapon is well-known in the Chinese military enthusiast community, with some attempting to justify it as a normal reaction, even citing “tactics”…

▲ The M1A2S tank destroyed in combat.

▲ As soon as one unit was destroyed, all Saudi soldiers in the convoy abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot.

▲ The “never been shot down by enemy forces” F-15 eventually fell, marking the first instance of such an incident.

▲ Even the Longbow Apache was not spared, though this can be somewhat forgiven, as during the 2003 Iraq War, US Apaches were occasionally shot down by outdated rifles.

▲ Rainbow 4 drones from China were also shot down by the Houthi armed group.

▲ Brand new French Leclerc tanks were captured intact by the Houthi armed group.

▲ A highly absurd scene in modern warfare history: Saudi armored vehicles, including M113s and M2 infantry fighting vehicles, hesitated to advance and required pickup trucks driven by mercenaries to guide them forward, giving the impression of inflatable tanks!

▲ Along the Saudi-Yemen border, Saudi forces continuously fired their Chinese-imported PLZ-45 155mm self-propelled howitzers at the Houthi armed group, and the artillery never stopped. A large amount of ammunition was used, resembling setting off fireworks.

▲ Based on many videos released by the Houthi armed group, desertion during combat seems to be a common occurrence among Saudi troops.

▲ Looking at photos of fallen Saudi soldiers released by the Houthi armed group, a significant proportion were shot in the back.

▲ Saudi officers captured by the Houthi armed group appeared quite cooperative. After all, many of them were wealthy, with multiple wives and mansions waiting at home, making death a significant loss.

So, how did this so-called “elite” Saudi army equipped to the teeth end up in such a dire situation? To understand this better, let’s take a closer look at the Houthi armed group in Yemen.

▲ Demonstrating Houthi armed group members, it’s clear they lack a unified uniform and often wear typical Arab ethnic clothing.

▲ Many armed members don’t even have military boots, using sandals instead, and their main fighting vehicles are pickup trucks.

▲ Surprisingly, the Houthi armed group used World War II-era Soviet tanks as makeshift artillery pieces.

▲ Furthermore, a majority of Houthi armed members are illiterate and unable to operate much of the new Saudi-American equipment, leading them to destroy the equipment after taking photos as they lacked the ability to use it effectively.

▲ The method of destruction is also primitive, involving tossing a pile of flammable materials into the driver’s compartment. Many of the destroyed vehicles were salvageable, but wealthy Saudis were unlikely to recover them.

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Currently, the Israeli military’s capabilities have significantly deteriorated. Without sufficient firepower support and with varying individual combat skills, they may not fare much better than the Saudi military when confronted directly by the Houthi armed group.

Houthi Armed Group: A Loyal Ally to Palestine

The Houthi armed group has shown unwavering solidarity and brotherhood, treating the Palestinian people as their own kin.

Throughout the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict, neighboring Egypt and other Arab nations have resounded with slogans, yet they have hesitated to take action, revealing the internal divisions within the Arab community.

However, the Houthi armed group, situated further away and with no direct conflict of interest, has expended significant resources and, in a tangible manner, confronted the United States on behalf of Palestine, rather than mere rhetoric.

While it is true that the arc of resistance naturally harbors animosity towards the United States, even Iran, when faced with the killing of a high-ranking military commander, did not engage in direct armed conflict with the United States. In contrast, the relatively small Houthi armed group boldly challenged the U.S.

Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthi armed group, who were initially framed by the West as extremist Arab factions, have, through their sacrifice, become the backbone of the Arab people, reminiscent of China’s Boxer Rebellion in the past.

Regardless of its truth, all possibilities of a war outbreak are now in place. The Houthi rebels have the support of the Iranian navy and the courage to strike the eagles. The NATO coalition is assembling to confront the Houthis. With everything in readiness, nothing would be surprising to happen.

World Situation

Updated on February 18, 1.2.18

Preparedness for War by @永夜

Lions don’t fight dogs. If you win, people will say you only defeated a dog, and if you get bitten, they’ll say you’re worse than a dog.

Look at our American lion; it has always been very patient because it understands this truth—–

Oh my goodness, American lion, what happened to you? Come back quickly, you can’t fight with dogs. You’re a lion—-

Oh my goodness, American lion, how did you end up in a fight with a dog, back and forth?

False News Surrounding the US Military Helicopter and Houthi Patrol Boat Clash

It can be reasonably concluded that this is fake news, originating from a haphazardly stitched and dismantled story about a firefight between a US military helicopter and a Houthi patrol boat.

There are accusations on X that Sky News is spreading false information.

The source may have originated from the Jerusalem Post.

The issue claims to have cited information from Sky News. There is a webpage on Sky News that tracks the progress of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in real-time, and it can be accessed directly, albeit in English.

{Link to Sky News Israeli-Palestinian Conflict}

There is no information on this matter on that page. However, following Sky News' style, even if they are republishing content from the Jerusalem Post, they would add a disclaimer: “Sky News cannot independently verify the content of this information” to distance themselves from responsibility.

Similarly, there is no related content found on Google, with the latest being an article from the Jerusalem Post about the US helicopter being attacked by Houthi armed patrol boats two days ago. Moreover, from the content of that news, it refers to a conflict between a US military helicopter and Houthi speedboats, with no mention of an attack on a US military ship.

Nevertheless, many media outlets have continuously sensationalized this incident, adding emotions and fabricating details, distorting the original incident into a massive battle between Houthi armed forces and the United States. Some reports even confuse the type of missiles involved, shifting between cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, and anti-ship ballistic missiles, suggesting that all types of missiles can be used against warships.

On X, although there is some related content, most of it is not from authoritative media but from individual posts, all sharing the same video.

The image attached is a screenshot from the video. Judging by the scale of the explosion, at least an anti-ship missile with a TNT equivalent of half a ton was used. If such a missile had hit a US warship, it would have caused significant damage at the very least. Such information could not be concealed by the US military, as there are not only American warships in the vicinity but also Houthi drones and warships from a certain major power. There are also warships from troublemakers eager to mock the US military.

Therefore, the likelihood of this incident being false is high. Accounts on X that are closer to Iran and the Houthi armed forces, such as “Iran observer,” have also released content debunking this.

In conclusion, this incident is likely false. The Houthi armed forces will undoubtedly be held accountable for the alleged attack on a US patrol boat and the death of 10 armed personnel, but as of now, no action has been taken.

Let’s continue watching and waiting for more information…

The Red Sea Crisis: A Symbol of America’s Decline

In this war, if the United States fights and doesn’t win, it’s a loss, while for the Houthis, just participating means they win!

Because people have to ask: When the almighty God, the beacon of the world, cannot punish mere mortals who blaspheme against Him, is He still a God? Once America steps down from its divine pedestal, it becomes prey for the world to chase!

But can America win?

To understand this question, we need to first learn about the origins of the Houthi armed group.

Yemen, located in the southeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, has a rich history and was once a part of both the Arab Empire and the Ottoman Empire.

The northern regions here are rugged and remote, giving rise to many tribal communities that are not easily governed. Their motto is simple: “Love who you want, resist if you don’t.” It is from these “mountain people” that the Houthi armed group emerged.

So, as practitioners of “physical communication,” the Houthi armed group expresses its opinions through action, not words. If you want to know how formidable the Houthis are, just ask the Saudi royals and the American equipment in the hands of the Houthis; they have the most say.

Don’t be fooled by the performance of the Saudi royals on the battlefield; their minds are not confused.

To solve the issue of the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, it’s not necessarily required to defeat the Houthi armed group. Because behind the Houthis stands Iran, and as long as Iran is dealt with, the Houthi armed group won’t pose a threat.

If the Houthis acknowledge the big brother, Iran acknowledges the big brother, and Saudi Arabia acknowledges the big brother, it’s as if Saudi and the Houthis have become brothers!

Isn’t this surrounding Wei to save Zhao? So, even though they fought for 8 years and it seemed lonely, Saudi Arabia’s flexibility allowed them to leave the battlefield with a smile in the end.

But what about the United States? Will it dare to personally engage in another Afghan war, trudging through mountains and valleys? The current US military stockpile can’t even support “assistance” to Ukraine, let alone engage in a full-scale war.

From the current situation, even if the United States musters the courage, it may only launch remote strikes against military targets such as radar stations. Of course, they might also send planes to bomb civilian facilities.

As for the audacious “come and annihilate your entire family if you resist” attitude, it’s long gone.

Now that the United States doesn’t dare to deal with the Houthi armed group on land and can’t afford to use $2 million missiles to constantly shoot down $2,000 cheap drones, what’s the point of forming this “Prosperity Guardian” group? This war can be said to be lost before it even begins! If they get injured by the Houthis or if their planes are shot down, it’s a colossal defeat.

This is also why only Great Yum and Greece sent troops among the 39 routes. They are both cunning foxes of a thousand years. Who would be so foolish to participate in a war destined to lose face alongside the United States?

In conclusion, decades from now, when we look back at this history, we may find that the Red Sea Crisis was a hallmark event of the decline of American hegemony.

Recall the past when the United States issued a command, and 39 countries formed a coalition with over 800,000 troops and nearly a hundred warships gathering in the Gulf, forcing Iraq into a hasty withdrawal. It must be admitted that back then, the oppressive force of the United States was formidable, and a mere call would naturally rally a large number of “allies” to follow. At that time, many “public intellectuals” dreamed of being rescued by the “heavenly soldiers.”

But it’s different now; to deal with the Houthi armed group, they have to call everyone to join. What’s more embarrassing is that in the past, it was because the younger brother couldn’t handle it, but now even the big brother can’t handle it.

Isn’t this a great upheaval that happens once a century?

After Israel’s BMW and Hamas’s tricycle had their thrilling race, now it’s the turn of the US aircraft carrier and Houthi flip-flops speedboats to engage in a “fierce clash.”

Indeed, it’s the consistent style of American influence, always keeping it balanced with anyone.

Let’s not worry about who they are fighting; you just tell me if it’s a balanced matchup or not.

In the Red Sea, Houthi forces launched two cruise missiles towards a U.S. warship.

It’s probably due to lack of experience! They didn’t hit the American destroyer, which is a bit disappointing!

However, this news is quite uplifting. Despite their weakness, Houthi forces are not afraid of aggression and boldly demonstrate their pursuit of justice and righteousness to the world!

Moreover, the fact that Houthi forces didn’t hit this time doesn’t mean they won’t succeed next time.

After all, “failure is the mother of success.”

Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, 21,822 people have died.

Houthi forces have launched 23 attacks in the Red Sea direction since November 19th.

Speculations on the Recent Events in the Middle East

Thank you for Comrade Zhang Mazi’s invitation… To be honest, I can’t provide a definitive answer to your question. I can only try to organize my thoughts.

So far, from what I’ve seen among the experts, there are generally two schools of thought:

1. Some believe that this is a risky move by the United States, with the goal of expanding the conflict and ultimately securing their position in the Middle East.

   According to this perspective, the focus is not on the Houthi forces themselves. Instead, the United States is hoping to use the Houthi incident to escalate the conflict, possibly extending it to involve Iran. Considering Iran’s close ties with China and Russia and the emerging trend of peace in the Middle East after the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s involvement, a peaceful Middle East may not align with American interests.

2. Another perspective is that this is a calculated move by the United States to disrupt the Asia-Europe shipping routes.

   Similar to the first viewpoint, the Houthi forces are not the primary target here. However, using the Houthi forces as a pretext to disrupt other countries' shipping routes seems plausible (comparable to using North Korea to intimidate South Korea, using China to intimidate Southeast Asia and Japan, or using Russia to intimidate Eastern and Western Europe). It’s worth noting that insurance premiums for several shipping companies have already increased.

In my personal opinion:

Both perspectives are possible. From a practical standpoint, I lean more towards the second one. This is because the current U.S. military deployment in the Middle East is insufficient to dismantle Iran’s political system, which is much more resilient than Iraq’s. Moreover, I find it hard to believe that the U.S. leadership would engage in such a frenzied multi-front confrontation in Europe and the Middle East (while maintaining a substantial military presence in East Asia).

Of course, I could be wrong; after all, to some extent, I am a conservative when it comes to warfare and prefer not to take unnecessary risks.