US and British Military Launch Retaliatory Strikes Against Iranian-Backed Houthis in Yemen
The US and British military have conducted a series of airstrikes against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The strikes targeted more than a dozen sites, including logistical hubs, air defense systems, and weapons storage locations, according to several US officials. The military operation was carried out using warship-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets.
The US Central Command described the strikes as a success in a statement released on Friday morning. The military action was taken in response to the Houthi attacks on international shipping over the past few weeks. The goal of the strikes was to undermine the Houthi rebels’ ability to carry out further attacks.
General Michael Erik Kurilla, the USCENTCOM Commander, held the Houthi militants and their Iranian sponsors responsible for the illegal and reckless attacks on international shipping. He emphasized that their actions would not be tolerated, and they would be held accountable.
Residents in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, reported hearing explosions early Friday morning, but no warplanes were seen. In Hodieda, the largest port city controlled by the Houthis, two residents confirmed hearing five strong explosions. The strikes mark the first US military response to the persistent campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The coordinated military assault comes just a week after the White House and partner nations issued a final warning to the Houthis to cease their attacks or face potential military action. The warning seemed to have some impact initially, as attacks stopped for several days. However, on Tuesday, the Houthi rebels fired their largest-ever barrage of drones and missiles targeting shipping in the Red Sea.
In response to the attacks, US and British ships, along with American fighter jets, shot down 18 drones, two cruise missiles, and an anti-ship missile. On Thursday, the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile into the Gulf of Aden, narrowly missing a commercial ship. The rebels have carried out 27 attacks involving dozens of drones and missiles since November 19.
The Houthi rebels claim that their assaults are aimed at stopping Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. However, their targets increasingly have little or no connection to Israel and pose a threat to a crucial trade route linking Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
The UN Security Council passed a resolution on Wednesday demanding an immediate cessation of the attacks by the Houthis and implicitly condemning their weapons supplier, Iran. The resolution was approved by a vote of 11-0, with four abstentions.
The participation of Britain in the strikes highlights the Biden administration’s efforts to form a broad international coalition against the Houthis. More than 20 nations are already participating in a US-led maritime mission to increase ship protection in the Red Sea.
US officials had previously refrained from indicating when they would strike back at the Houthis, despite multiple attacks on commercial vessels. The Biden administration’s reluctance stemmed from concerns about upending the fragile truce in Yemen and triggering a wider conflict in the region.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that there would be consequences if the attacks continued. The White House wants to preserve the truce and has been cautious about taking action in Yemen that could escalate tensions further.
In conclusion, the US and British military have launched retaliatory strikes against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The strikes targeted key sites used by the rebels, aiming to undermine their ability to carry out further attacks on international shipping. The Biden administration is working to form an international coalition to counter the Houthis and protect vital trade routes in the Red Sea.