US and UK Carry Out Joint Military Strikes Against Houthi Sites in Yemen

Background

Saving Trade and Halting Attacks

The United States and the United Kingdom bombed more than a dozen Houthi sites in Yemen in the latest escalation amidst the ongoing protests against Israel’s war on Gaza, according to officials.

The joint military action, carried out on Saturday, targeted 18 Houthi sites across eight locations in Yemen, including underground weapons and missile storage facilities, air defence systems, radars, and a helicopter, aimed to disrupt and degrade the Iranian-backed Houthi militia’s capabilities.

The US and the UK have previously conducted joint bombings against the Houthi rebel group. In their efforts to bring an end to the Houthi attacks, the US has been conducting daily raids to eliminate Houthi targets, such as incoming missiles, rockets, and drones, but without much success.

Impact on Global Trade

The continuous attacks by the Houthis have been a cause of concern as they have disrupted global trade and led to an increase in shipping rates.

Defiance and Pledge

The Houthis responded to the joint strikes by expressing defiance. Yahya Saree, the group’s spokesman, declared that they would confront the American-British escalation with more military operations in the Red and Arab Seas. They vowed to continue upholding their religious, moral, and humanitarian duties towards the Palestinian people and called for an end to the aggression and blockade on the Gaza Strip.

Number of Previous Attacks

According to The Associated Press news agency, since November 19, the Houthis have carried out at least 57 attacks on commercial and military ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The pace of attacks has increased in recent days.

Details of Recent Attacks

In their recent attempts, the Houthis launched an attack on the MV Torm Thor, a US-flagged, chemical and oil tanker. However, the US Central Command thwarted the attack, downing an anti-ship ballistic missile before it could reach the vessel. British maritime security agency UKMTO also reported another attack on an unspecified ship, which caused an explosion close to the vessel but without any reported damage or injuries to the crew.

Concerns Regarding Environmental Disaster

During the midst of this conflict, the fate of the UK-registered cargo vessel Rubymar, which was targeted and evacuated on February 18, remains uncertain. The vessel was carrying over 41,000 tonnes of fertilizer, and its potential spillage in the Red Sea could cause an environmental disaster.

Escalation of Tensions

In the wider context of Israel’s war on Gaza, the repercussions have reached other parts of the Middle East. Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah group has engaged in exchanges of fire with Israel along the Israel-Lebanon border, while pro-Iran Iraqi militia have launched attacks on bases hosting US forces.