US and UK Launch Strikes on Houthi Rebels in Yemen to Protect Global Shipping

“Today, on my order, US military forces (…) successfully struck multiple targets in Yemen that the Houthi rebels used to threaten freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most important shipping lanes,” Biden said.

“These targeted strikes send a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to threaten freedom of navigation along one of the world’s most important trade routes,” Biden added.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the strikes against the Houthis in Yemen were “necessary and proportionate”.

“Despite repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea,” Sunak said. “We have therefore taken limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defense with the United States (..) to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping.”

The Houthis have repeatedly attacked an important international shipping route in the Red Sea since the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas broke out in the Gaza Strip on October 7. They have announced that this is how they stand in solidarity with the Palestinians in response to Israel’s bombing of the Gaza Strip.

Western strikes risk turning the tense situation in the Middle East into a wider conflict pitting the US and Israel against Iran and its allies in the region.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called an emergency cabinet meeting on Thursday to discuss possible strikes on the Houthis, British media reported.

The US launched an international coalition in December to protect maritime traffic in the Red Sea, through which 12% of world trade flows.

The 12 countries of this coalition warned the Houthis on January 3 of “consequences” if they did not immediately stop attacks on merchant ships.

The Houthis launched their biggest attack yet on Tuesday night, during which US and British forces shot down 18 drones and three missiles.

The UN Security Council on Wednesday demanded an immediate end to Houthi attacks on ships, warning of threats to regional peace and security.

The patience of Western allies ran out on Thursday morning when the US military said the Houthis had fired an anti-ship ballistic missile at a shipping route in the Gulf of Aden.

2024-01-12 05:26:44
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