US and UK Launch Strikes Against Houthi Targets in Yemen
The US and UK militaries have conducted strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen in response to repeated drone and missile attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
Response to Houthi Attacks on Red Sea Shipping
The US and UK launched strikes against multiple Houthi targets in Yemen on Thursday. This action came after the Biden administration and its allies warned of consequences for the Iran-backed militant group's attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
US President Joe Biden ordered the strikes to protect the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and acknowledged the support from the United Kingdom, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands in carrying out the operation.
Targets and Casualties
US and coalition forces targeted 16 Iranian-backed Houthi militant locations in Yemen, hitting over 60 targets. The strikes resulted in the death of five and the injury of six others, according to a spokesperson for the rebels.
The assets destroyed included command and control nodes, munitions, depots, launching systems, production facilities, and air defense radar systems of the Houthi group. However, the rebels have stated that the strikes will not prevent them from future attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.
International Concerns and Future Action
The strikes reflect growing international alarm over the threat to one of the world's critical waterways. While the US has previously carried out strikes against Iranian proxies in Iraq and Syria, this marks the first known strike against the Houthis in Yemen.
There are concerns about a potential escalation in the region, especially amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. However, the repeated Houthi attacks on international shipping forced the coalition to take action. The US and UK utilized fighter jets, Tomahawk missiles, and other platforms to target Houthi-controlled locations.
The US warned of potential consequences if the Houthi attacks do not cease. Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to the region to reinforce the message that military action should be seen as defensive rather than escalatory. The UN Security Council also passed a resolution condemning the Houthi attacks on merchant and commercial vessels.
