China State Media Warns US It 'Underestimated' Houthis

Chinese state-run media warned this week that the U.S. and U.K. "underestimated" the Houthi rebels in Yemen amid ongoing fighting in the Red Sea.

In an op-ed, the state-run Global Times spoke about recent military attacks by the U.S. and the U.K. against the Houthis in the Red Sea and warned of continued "retaliation." It said recent military operations against Houthi targets in Yemen were "unsatisfactory."

"The missions failed to stop Houthis from attacking shipping, and now Houthis are targeting US ships. A Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile struck a US-owned and operated cargo ship on Monday. What's the point of that escalation?" the Global Times wrote.

"This retaliation and counter-retaliation are snowballing in the Red Sea. It is now evident that the US and the UK have underestimated the military capabilities of the Houthi militants."

In December, officials from the U.S, European Union and United Nations confirmed that Houthi rebels executed several attacks in the Red Sea, including "the December 3 attacks against three commercial vessels in the Southern Red Sea connected to 14 nations."

Over the past several weeks, the U.S. and U.K. militaries have carried out several attacks against the Houthi rebels in the Red Sea and in Yemen, sparking criticism from China.

On January 11, U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed additional attacks against the Houthi rebels with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands.

"These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea—including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history," Biden said. "These attacks have endangered U.S. personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardized trade, and threatened freedom of navigation."

While speaking with reporters last week, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning responded to the recent attacks against Houthi rebels and said that Beijing "is concerned about the escalating tension in the Red Sea and calls on relevant parties to exercise calm and restraint to prevent the conflict from escalating."

"The Red Sea is an important artery for global trade in goods and energy. China calls on relevant parties to play a constructive and responsible role in keeping the Red Sea safe and stable, which serves the common interests of the international community," Mao added.

The op-ed also called for an end to violence in the Red Sea and said "If Washington and London genuinely want an end of the crisis in the Red Sea, the only way out is to end the Gaza crisis, withdraw what should be withdrawn, end wrong support, and apply pressure where it's needed."

Newsweek reached out to the U.S. State Department and the Chinese Foreign Ministry via email for comment.

The U.S. Central Command confirmed Tuesday the seizure of an illegal transport of weapons from Iran that were being sent to the Houthis.

"It is clear that Iran continues shipment of advanced lethal aid to the Houthis," Centcom General Michael Erik Kurilla said in a press release. "This is yet another example of how Iran actively sows instability throughout the region in direct violation of U.N. Security Resolution 2216 and international law."