Iraq condemns US, UK strikes on Houthis in Yemen

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Iraq's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday condemned the US and UK strikes on Houthis in Yemen, warning this would expand the war in the region.

"While reiterating the need to protect freedom of navigation in international waters, we condemn the aggression against Yemen and its sovereignty and believe that expanding the scope of targeting will not solve the problem, but will further expand the scope of war," the Iraqi Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry said the solution to the widening instability in the region is for the UN Security Council to fulfill its responsibilities and pass a resolution to "stop the aggressive and brutal war against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip."

Read More: U.S., U.K. strike more than 60 Targets after Houthis ignore repeated warnings against attacks on international shipping

The US and UK struck over 60 Houthi targets in Yemen on Thursday night.

The Houthis officially call themselves Ansar Allah, or supporters of God.

US President Joe Biden said the strikes were "in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea."

The Houthi attacks began in mid-November, over a month after Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel which triggered the Gaza war, now in its 97th day.