The US and the UK have launched strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen as a response to repeated drone and missile attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels on international maritime vessels in the Red Sea.
The attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, including commercial vessels, have posed a significant threat to one of the world’s most critical waterways.
The US, along with the UK and coalition forces, executed deliberate strikes on Houthi targets, including command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities, and air defense radar systems.
The Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, particularly on Tuesday, were described as the “final straw” that led to the decision to launch the strikes.
The US President, Joe Biden, emphasized that the strikes were aimed at protecting freedom of navigation and international commerce in the vital waterway.
The Houthi rebels, an Iran-backed Shia political and military organization, have been involved in a civil war in Yemen against a coalition backed by Saudi Arabia. The US had been cautious about direct strikes in Yemen due to concerns about escalating tensions in the region.
However, the continued Houthi attacks on international shipping forced the coalition to take action.
The text also highlights that the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have led to major shipping companies avoiding the waterway, resulting in longer shipping routes and increased concerns about the impact on global trade.
The US and its allies accused Iran of being deeply involved in coordinating the Houthi attacks on commercial and merchant ships in the Red Sea.
The strikes were intended to target specific Houthi capabilities and were carried out with precision-guided munitions to minimize collateral damage.
In response to the US-UK military action in Yemen, the Houthi rebels claim that five of their members were killed, with six others injured. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree reveals that a total of 73 strikes were carried out by the US and UK forces. Speaking in a TV broadcast, Saree condemns the overnight attacks as a “blatant act of aggression” and vows that it won’t go unpunished
However, The US and its allies indicated that further actions against the Houthis could be taken if necessary. The Netherlands, Australia, Canada, and Bahrain provided support as part of the mission led by the US and the UK.
