The US and British militaries have conducted coordinated retaliatory strikes on Houthi missile-launching capabilities in Yemen for the second time. The strikes targeted eight locations used by the Iranian-backed Houthis, using warship- and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles, fighter jets, and precision-guided bombs. The joint operation involved contributions from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, including intelligence and surveillance support.
Aim to De-Escalate Tensions
In a joint statement, the six allied nations emphasized their aim to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea. They warned the Houthi leadership that they would not hesitate to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways. The strikes specifically targeted a Houthi underground storage site and locations associated with their missile and air surveillance capabilities.
Degrading Houthi Capabilities
The British Ministry of Defense confirmed that four Royal Air Force Typhoon jets struck multiple targets at two military sites near Sanaa airfield. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps stated that the strikes aimed to degrade Houthi capabilities and deal another blow to their limited stockpiles and ability to threaten global trade. This joint operation comes about 10 days after the first US military response to the persistent campaign of Houthi drone and missile attacks on commercial ships since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
Houthi Media Reports Raids in Sanaa
According to the Houthis’ media office, the raids targeted Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. Residents reported strikes near their homes, setting off car alarms in the street. The Houthi-run satellite news channel, Al-Masirah, reported multiple air raids on three areas of Sanaa. The latest barrage of allied attacks marks the eighth time the US has conducted strikes on Houthi sites since January 12.
Retaliatory Strikes Haven’t Deterred the Houthis
The retaliatory strikes have not deterred the Houthis from their campaign against Red Sea shipping. The attacks on ships in the region’s waterways, which the Houthis claim are linked to Israel or heading to Israeli ports, have continued. The US and allies warned of retaliation for weeks, but the threat had little noticeable effect. The Houthis have also targeted US Navy and US-owned ships, in addition to commercial vessels.
Efforts to Defend Commercial Vessels
To defend commercial vessels in the region, the US and international partners have launched Operation Prosperity Guardian. This joint mission provides a protective umbrella for vessels traveling through the critical waterway from the Suez Canal to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Approximately 400 commercial vessels transit the southern Red Sea at any given time. The ongoing violence has forced companies to reroute their ships around Africa through the Cape of Good Hope, a longer and less efficient passage.
The Biden administration has designated the Houthis as specially designated global terrorists and imposed sanctions to sever their sources of financing while allowing humanitarian aid to continue flowing to Yemen. However, defense officials acknowledge that the rebels are well-equipped by Iran and are likely to continue their attacks.
The Houthi official in their Foreign Ministry, Hussein Al-Ezzi, warned that America and Britain would have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear the dire consequences of their aggression. The chaotic wave of attacks and reprisals suggests that the broader regional war that the US has been trying to avoid is becoming closer to reality.
In conclusion, the coordinated strikes by the US and British militaries on Houthi missile-launching capabilities in Yemen aim to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea. Despite previous retaliatory strikes, the Houthis continue their campaign against Red Sea shipping. Efforts are being made to defend commercial vessels through Operation Prosperity Guardian. The ongoing violence has prompted companies to reroute their ships, causing logistical challenges. The Biden administration has designated the Houthis as terrorists and imposed sanctions, but defense officials believe the rebels will continue their attacks. The situation in Yemen remains volatile, and the risk of a broader regional war looms.