US ‘Sleepwalking’ into Another War in Middle East: Ex-Indian Envoy on Yemen Strikes

There is a deep sense of disappointment with the US policy on the Gaza Strip across the world, including in India, a former spokesperson at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has told Sputnik India.

"Overwhelmingly, the international opinion is deeply disappointed with the US. It is the only country in the world having the potential to stop the mindless massacre being carried out by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in Gaza, where over 23,000 civilians have been left dead and there are no signs of a ceasefire yet,” remarked Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad, who has also served as India’s envoy to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Ahmad warned that the American and British aerial and maritime strikes in Yemen would lead the world into an “era of uncertainty”.

“Essentially, the US is sleep-walking the world into a war. You don't calculatedly enter into a regional conflict; you sleepwalk into it. Rationally, there shouldn’t be any expansion of the conflict, as many countries, including India, have been saying all along,” the Ambassador remarked.

Ahmad recalled that American and Israeli strikes against high-profile figures linked to Iran, including Hezbollah commander Wissam Hassan al-Tawil, in recent weeks had already been ratcheting up tensions in the region.

“Now, these strikes certainly aggravate the sense of tension and make it more likely to sink into a regional conflict,” stated Ahmad.

Growing Anger Among ‘Axis of Resistance’

Yemen and Iran have condemned the American-led strikes, with Yemeni spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam claiming that the attacks in the Red Sea would continue.

Moscow has called for a meeting of the UN Security Council on the western strikes in Yemen, a day after both Russia and China abstained from a UNSC resolution condemning the Houthis.

The Indian speaker highlighted the absence of a credible ceasefire initiative by any country or organization, including the United Nations (UN), has meant that the “mindless massacre” of Palestinians has continued unabated.

“In the absence of such an initiative, certain... Hezbollah, Iraqi militias and Houthis have become more active. So, there are three sources of attrition for Israel. All of them are low-key but irritating for the IDF and the US,” the Ambassador explained.

He noted that Iraqi militias have conducted a dozen-odd attacks against American positions in the region, while Hezbollah has “tied down” IDF units along Israel-Lebanon border.

“The Houthis have very strong feelings about the Palestinian issue," he said.

"They are demanding immediate expansion of humanitarian aid to Gaza and an immediate ceasefire. And as we have seen, their threats and attacks on Israel-owned or bound vessels have affected maritime security,” he stated.

The Indian Ambassador warned that in Iran, the most powerful regional military, a “mood for retaliation” was being whipped up against the US due to fatal strikes against senior Iranian generals and scientists in recent years.

"The people of Iran have become increasingly agitated. Over the last four years, the US and Israel have targetted General Qasem Soleimani, top scientists and other leaders. While the deadly bombings in Kerman on the fourth death anniversary of (General Qasem) Soleimani this month was claimed by Daesh*, it has fed into the narrative for revenge,” he said.

Biden's Gaza Policy Comes Under Fire

Ahmad said that most of the global community but the US was well aware of the fact that Houthis' attacks weren’t a standalone issue and represented “part of a bigger problem concern the ongoing assault in Gaza”.

“The Houthis are just a very small symptom of a very large problem in front of our eyes,” stated the Ambassador.

Ahmad also slammed the Biden administration for not having a clear-cut policy towards Gaza since the start of IDF operations in the wake of 7 October attack by Hamas.

Citing statements by IDF top brass, he said that American arms' supplies has been sustaining Israel's campaign in Gaza.

India’s Concerns about US Actions

Noting New Delhi’s concerns about expansion of the conflict, Ahmad said that India had been speaking “vert strongly” in favour of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, be it at the United Nations (UN) or in its bilateral engagements.

“For India, the Red Sea is a very critical waterway. It has strategic importance. There is several billion dollars worth of two-way traffic passing through the Middle-East, including crucial inbound energy supplies,” Ahmad remarked, adding that the recent strikes could trigger a rise in shipping freight rates.

He said that it was for the same reason that New Delhi hasn’t joined the American-led naval coalition in the Red Sea, instead choosing to deploy its own warships in the region.

“India doesn't want to become a target. It also understands that the Houthi issue is part of the larger issue. So, there has to be a pressure point on the Americans,” the Ambassador concluded.

Israel-Hamas war

India, UAE Call for Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza

11 January, 12:12

*banned terrorist group

US ‘Sleepwalking’ Into Another War in Middle East: Ex-Indian Envoy on Yemen Strikes

Growing Anger Among ‘Axis of Resistance’

Biden's Gaza Policy Comes Under Fire

India’s Concerns about US Actions