Washington – The US and UK militaries launched strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on Thursday. This move comes after warnings were issued by the Biden administration and its allies regarding repeated drone and missile attacks by the Iran-backed militant group on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
The strikes were carried out in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, targeting a number of sites used by the rebels to threaten freedom of navigation in the vital waterway. President Joe Biden stated that the strikes were a direct response to the Houthi attacks on international maritime vessels in the Red Sea.
Fighter jets and Tomahawk missiles were utilized in the strikes, with more than a dozen Houthi targets being fired upon. The selected targets included radar systems, drone storage and launch sites, ballistic missile storage and launch sites, and cruise missile storage and launch sites.
These strikes reflect growing international concern over the threat posed to one of the world’s most critical waterways. The US had previously sought to avoid direct military action in Yemen due to the risk of further escalation in an already tense region. However, the continued Houthi attacks on international shipping compelled the coalition to take action.
The Biden administration had been cautious about striking the Houthis, as it could potentially disrupt the delicate cease-fire between the militant group and Saudi Arabia. However, the repeated attacks on shipping lanes in the Red Sea were deemed unacceptable by the White House.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin remains hospitalized, and these strikes come at a time of heightened tension in the Middle East. The US has conducted airstrikes in Yemen in the past, but the recent strikes mark the first known attack on the Houthis.
The Houthis, an Iran-backed Shia political and military organization, have been engaged in a civil war in Yemen against a coalition backed by Saudi Arabia. They have been launching drones and missiles at commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea, leading to concerns over global commerce and navigation in the region.
The US and its allies issued a warning to the Houthis, stating that they would bear the responsibility for the consequences if they continue to threaten lives and the global economy. Despite this warning, the attacks by the Houthis have persisted.
In conclusion, the recent strikes by the US and its allies against Houthi targets in Yemen demonstrate a significant response to the ongoing threats to international shipping in the Red Sea. The selected targets were aimed at degrading the Houthis’ ability to carry out further attacks. The strikes come at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East and reflect the international community’s concerns over the security of one of the world’s most critical waterways.