US and UK Launch Strikes on Houthi Targets in Yemen in Response to Recent Attacks on Ships
In a joint military operation, the United States and Britain launched strikes on 18 Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday. This action comes as a response to a surge in attacks by the Iran-backed militia group on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, including a recent missile strike that set fire to a cargo vessel. American and British fighter jets targeted missiles, launchers, rockets, drones, and air defense systems in eight locations.
This is the fourth time that the US and British militaries have conducted a combined operation against the Houthis since January 12. However, the US has been carrying out almost daily strikes to take out Houthi targets, including incoming missiles and drones aimed at ships, as well as weapons that were prepared to launch.
The strikes were carried out by US F/A-18 fighter jets launched from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, which is currently stationed in the Red Sea. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized that the United States will not hesitate to take action to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways. He warned the Houthis that they will face consequences if they do not stop their illegal attacks.
In response to the strikes, the Houthis denounced the “US-British aggression” and vowed to continue their military operations. They stated that they will confront the escalation with more qualitative military operations against all hostile targets in the Red and Arabian Seas.
The UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed that RAF Typhoon jets engaged in precision strikes aimed at degrading Houthi drones and launchers. He highlighted that these strikes were carried out in response to severe Houthi attacks against commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The strikes have received support from a wider coalition, including Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. President Joe Biden and other senior leaders have repeatedly warned that the US will not tolerate Houthi attacks against commercial shipping. However, despite the counterattacks, the Houthis’ campaign against shipping in the region has not diminished. The militants claim that their actions are in response to Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The Houthis have launched at least 57 attacks on commercial and military ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November 19. The pace of attacks has increased in recent days. Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh acknowledged that the Houthis have not been deterred by previous strikes and continue to maintain a large arsenal of sophisticated weapons supplied by Iran.
The Houthi attacks pose a significant threat to the vital waterway for cargo and energy shipments traveling from Asia and the Middle East to Europe. While the attacks have only struck a small number of vessels, the persistent targeting and near misses have prompted shipping companies to reroute their vessels, resulting in longer, costlier, and less efficient passages around Africa through the Cape of Good Hope.
To protect ships traveling through the Suez Canal and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the US and its allies have set up a joint mission where warships provide air defense. This mission aims to restore stability in the Red Sea and ensure the free flow of commerce.
In recent incidents, the Houthis fired missiles at a Palau-flagged cargo ship named Islander, causing a fire and injuring a sailor. The ship continued its journey despite the attack. Central Command also destroyed seven mobile anti-ship cruise missiles that were prepared to launch toward the Red Sea. Additionally, a Houthi attack on a Belize-flagged ship caused an 18-mile oil slick, posing a significant environmental disaster risk.
Yemen’s internationally recognized government has called for other countries and maritime-protection organizations to address the oil slick promptly and prevent further environmental damage.
The US and its allies remain committed to defending lives and ensuring the safety of commercial shipping in the region. The ongoing strikes against Houthi targets demonstrate their determination to protect critical waterways and maintain stability in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
