U.S. Fighter Jets Strike Iranian-Backed Houthi Rebel Sites in Yemen for Sixth Time
In a continued effort to counter the Houthi rebels in Yemen, U.S. fighter jets have conducted airstrikes on Iranian-backed Houthi rebel sites for the sixth time. The strikes targeted anti-ship missile launchers that were ready to fire, according to anonymous U.S. officials. These airstrikes were carried out by F/A-18 aircraft from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier and are reminiscent of previous attacks on Houthi launchers that have been occurring almost daily this week.
Despite the relentless bombardment of Houthi sites, including a massive array of strikes on January 12 by U.S. and British forces, President Joe Biden admitted that the militants’ attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, which have disrupted global shipping, have not ceased. The strikes have yet to deter the Houthi attacks on ships in the southern Red Sea or Gulf of Aden, which have been happening nearly every day.
The location of the recent U.S. strikes could not be immediately confirmed, but according to Al-Masirah, a Houthi-run satellite news channel, there were air raids in the western city of Hodieda on Friday, targeting the al-Jabaana neighborhood in the west of the city.
The U.S. military’s ability to monitor, detect, and strike militant activities in Yemen has been showcased through the rapid succession of airstrikes on Houthi missiles poised to launch. However, these strikes have not yet proven effective in deterring further attacks on ships in the region.
In response to the ongoing threat posed by the Houthi rebels, the Biden administration has designated them as specially designated global terrorists. This designation allows for sanctions to be imposed on the group, cutting off their sources of financing while ensuring that vital humanitarian aid continues to reach the impoverished Yemeni population. The White House has also made it clear that retaliatory strikes by the U.S. will persist.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby emphasized that these strikes will continue for as long as necessary, stating, “These strikes will continue for as long as they need to continue.” He added that the administration will not reveal their future actions, saying, “I’m not going to telegraph punches one way or another.”
The Houthi rebels have been targeting ships in the Red Sea, claiming that they are either linked to Israel or heading to Israeli ports. They argue that their attacks aim to end the Israeli air-and-ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, which was triggered by an attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7 in southern Israel. However, as the attacks persist, the connections between the targeted ships and Israel have become more tenuous.
The situation in Yemen remains volatile, with the ongoing conflict between the Houthi rebels and the internationally recognized government exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the country. The U.S. airstrikes against Houthi rebel sites are part of a broader effort to bring stability to the region and protect vital shipping routes in the Red Sea. However, it is clear that further action is needed to effectively deter Houthi attacks and find a lasting solution to the conflict.