In a joint effort, the United States and the United Kingdom launched airstrikes on at least 30 Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday.
The objective was to further weaken Iran-backed groups that have been targeting U.S. and international interests in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The military action, involving ships and fighter jets, followed a previous air assault in Iraq and Syria, targeting other Iran-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
This retaliation was prompted by a drone strike that claimed the lives of three U.S. troops in Jordan.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized that these strikes send a clear message to the Houthis, warning of continued consequences if they persist in their illegal attacks on international shipping and naval vessels.
The Houthi targets, located in 13 different locations, were hit by U.S. F/A-18 fighter jets, British Typhoon FGR4 fighter aircraft, and destroyers USS Gravely and USS Carney, which fired Tomahawk missiles from the Red Sea.
This marks the third joint operation by the U.S. and U.K. to target Houthi launchers, radar sites, and drones. Despite these efforts, the Houthis have shown no intention of scaling back their attacks.
The Biden administration, supported by Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, has hinted at further strikes.
The ongoing conflict stems from the Israel-Hamas war, with the Houthis being one of the main adversaries since October 2023.
The Houthis continue almost daily missile or drone attacks on commercial and military ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
They remain defiant despite pressure from the U.S. and the U.K.
In response, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a Houthi official, vowed that military operations against Israel would persist until the alleged crimes in Gaza cease.
He also warned of retaliation against American-British aggression in Yemen.
The strikes targeted Houthis’ weapons storage facilities, missile systems, launchers, air defense, radars, and a ground control station west of Yemen’s capital, Sana’a.
The U.S. president, Joe Biden, was briefed on the strikes before leaving for a west coast campaign trip.
These strikes aim to convey a broader message to Iran, holding it responsible for supporting various militias in the Middle East, including Hezbollah, Hamas, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, and the Houthis.
The Houthis’ attacks have disrupted shipping routes in the Red Sea, leading to vessels rerouting around Africa through the Cape of Good Hope.
The U.S. and its allies have established a joint mission to provide air defense for ships traveling through this critical waterway.
Amid these global tensions, the Biden administration, along with its allies, emphasizes the commitment to defending lives and ensuring the free flow of commerce in crucial waterways.
The situation remains complex, with the hope that diplomatic efforts can bring about a resolution.
Namibian President Hage Geingob Dies At 82 After Cancer Diagnosis
