The White House said on Tuesday that the U.S. does not want war with Yemens Houthi rebels despite conducting strikes on their positions last week with Britain. Spokesman John Kirby stated the Houthis should halt attacks but still have time to make the right choice.Were not looking to expand this. The Houthis have a choice to make and they still have time to make the right choice, which is to stop these reckless attacks,” John Kirby said.Recent Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea have alarmed world powers and affected global trade. The Iran-backed militia says its actions show solidarity with Palestinians.US pathway to de-escalationU.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, speaking in Davos, Switzerland, reiterated American aims to reduce Middle East tensions. He said the Yemen conflicts course depends on those with influence in Tehran and influence in other capitals.Sullivan also added that the United States sees a possible pathway to preventing the latest Gaza crisis from spiraling into a larger conflagration. But he warned of an escalation that we have to manage if the situation deteriorates.We are eagerly working with partners throughout the region to try and pursue a pathway. But in the meantime, we have to guard against and be vigilant against the possibility that, in fact, rather than heading towards de-escalation, we are on a path of escalation that we have to manage, Sullivan said.Backing Israel while urging restraintThe U.S. remains Israels staunchest supporter in its campaign against Hamas and Gaza extremists. However, Sullivan pressed Israel to uphold international law and spare civilians in its military campaign launched after an October terror attack.He also added that Israels right to respond “does not lessen at all Israels responsibility to conduct its campaign in a way that upholds international humanitarian law and abides by the moral and strategic necessity to distinguish between terrorists and innocent civilians. He stated the Biden administration still supports an eventual two-state solution rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahus right-wing coalition. Sullivan said the U.S. seeks Israels integration in the region alongside a Palestinian state and assured Israeli security.US hopes for Arab-Israeli peaceWith emotions inflamed on all sides, Sullivan conceded hopes for Arab-Israeli peace and a Palestinian state seem distant presently. Yet he insisted such reconciliation offering the only path for lasting regional peace and security.“A future where Israelis and Arabs can live in peace, Palestinians have a state of their own and Israels security is assured, Sullivan said.The comments highlight Americas complex balancing act backing Israel while seeking to avoid wider conflict as tensions rise with ascendant radicals on all sides.
