US and UK Launch Strikes Against Houthi Rebels in Yemen; Iran-Aligned Group Vows to Continue Targeting Ships Heading Towards Israel, Denounces Attacks as ‘Barbaric
US and UK Launch Strikes in Yemen Against Houthi Rebels, Escalating Tensions in the Region
In a significant escalation of conflict in the Middle East, the United States and Britain have launched military strikes in Yemen targeting the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels. The move comes in response to what has been described as “unprecedented” attacks by the Houthis on commercial ships in the Red Sea. The strikes were announced by US President Joe Biden, who warned that further action would be taken if necessary.
President Biden emphasized that these targeted strikes send a clear message that the US and its partners will not tolerate attacks on their personnel or allow hostile actors to jeopardize freedom of navigation. The Houthis have been accused of engaging in aggressive actions, particularly targeting shipping lanes in the Red Sea.
The Houthi rebels, aligned with Iran, denounced the strikes as “barbaric” and vowed to continue targeting ships heading towards Israel. The group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, reported that 73 strikes hit five regions of Yemen under their control, resulting in casualties.
Mohammed Abdul-Salam, the Houthis’ chief negotiator and spokesperson, criticized the US and Britain, accusing them of committing a treacherous aggression. He asserted that the targeting of ships heading to the ports of occupied Palestine would persist despite the military intervention.
In a significant escalation of conflict in the Middle East, the United States and Britain have launched military strikes in Yemen targeting the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels. The move comes in response to what has been described as “unprecedented” attacks by the Houthis on commercial ships in the Red Sea. The strikes were announced by US President Joe Biden, who warned that further action would be taken if necessary.
President Biden emphasized that these targeted strikes send a clear message that the US and its partners will not tolerate attacks on their personnel or allow hostile actors to jeopardize freedom of navigation. The Houthis have been accused of engaging in aggressive actions, particularly targeting shipping lanes in the Red Sea.
The Houthi rebels, aligned with Iran, denounced the strikes as “barbaric” and vowed to continue targeting ships heading towards Israel. The group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, reported that 73 strikes hit five regions of Yemen under their control, resulting in casualties.
Mohammed Abdul-Salam, the Houthis’ chief negotiator and spokesperson, criticized the US and Britain, accusing them of committing a treacherous aggression. He asserted that the targeting of ships heading to the ports of occupied Palestine would persist despite the military intervention.
Al Masirah, a Houthi-run satellite news channel, reported that the strikes hit various strategic locations, including the al-Dailami air base, the airport in Hodeidah, a camp east of Saada, the airport in Taiz, and an airport near Hajjah. These strikes mark the first direct military intervention by the US in Yemen since 2016.
The Houthi movement controls a significant portion of Yemen after nearly a decade of conflict against a Western-backed, Saudi-led coalition. The group is known for its support of Hamas in its conflict with Israel, adding a layer of complexity to the regional dynamics.
The Palestinian group, Hamas, held the US and the United Kingdom responsible for the impact of the strikes on the region’s security. Pentagon spokesperson Patrick Ryder clarified that the US has no plans to add additional forces to the region at the moment. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s office echoed a similar sentiment, stating that no further strikes against Houthi targets were currently planned.
The strikes have already had repercussions on maritime activities, with at least four oil tankers diverting course from the Red Sea. Shipping data from LSEG and Kpler indicated that these tankers altered their routes between 03:00 and 07:30 GMT on Friday.
Rishi Sunak deemed the strikes “necessary and proportionate,” and the UK’s Ministry of Defence suggested that early indications are that the Houthis’ ability to threaten merchant shipping has been impacted.
The international community’s response has been mixed, with Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands supporting the operation. The US and its allies presented the strikes as part of an international effort to restore the free flow of trade in a key route between Europe and Asia, constituting about 15 percent of the world’s shipping traffic.
However, Iran, a supporter of the Houthis, condemned the attacks, and Russia called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the military strikes. Saudi Arabia urged restraint, emphasizing the importance of avoiding further escalation.
In a joint statement, the US and its allies affirmed their aim to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea. They made it clear that defending lives and protecting the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways remains a priority in the face of continued threats. The situation continues to evolve, raising concerns about the potential for a protracted conflict in the already volatile Middle East.