The U.S. military, along with other countries, launched a series of attacks on Thursday against the Houthi militant group in Yemen, which is backed by Iran. The attacks targeted several Houthi military sites and were carried out using Tomahawk cruise missiles and fighter jets.
According to sources, the decision to launch these attacks was approved by the British Cabinet and involved support from the Netherlands, Australia, Canada, and Bahrain.
#BREAKING 2 US officials tell me US, UK now striking #Iran-backed #Houthis targets inside #Yemen in response to their attacks on ships in #RedSea & #GulfofAden – more than a dozen targets ranging from training facilities to drone storage facilities
— Carla Babb (@CarlaBabbVOA) January 11, 2024
The U.S. and its allies have been closely monitoring the Houthi group, which has been launching repeated attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea over the past few weeks. These attacks have not only raised security concerns but have also disrupted trade and commerce in the region. In response, the U.S. officials have pointed to Iran’s involvement in aiding and abetting the Houthis.
“The Houthis could not have carried out these attacks without Iran’s support and assistance,” said senior U.S. officials, highlighting the role of Iran in the attacks on shipping. This sentiment was echoed by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who approved British participation in the airstrikes as a response to the recent Houthi attacks.
The U.S. and its allies had previously issued a warning to the Houthis, with a clear message that the attacks on shipping must come to an immediate end. The White House released a statement calling for the release of unlawfully detained vessels and crews and warning the Houthis that they will bear the consequences of their actions. The statement, signed by multiple countries including the U.S., Britain, Australia, and Canada, emphasized the serious consequences of threatening the lives of innocent civilians and impacting the global economy.
The shipping industry has also been urging for decisive action to be taken against the Houthis to restore safety to the Red Sea shipping lanes. Peter Sand, chief analyst at maritime data provider Xeneta, expressed that the previous approach of simply shooting down the attacks has not been enough. “Everyone in the industry wants decisive military action to take out the launch sites and the missile depots,” he said.
Despite the warnings and military actions, Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi remained defiant and even challenged the U.S. “We are not afraid of America. We are ready for a direct confrontation,” he said. His statements suggest that the group is not backing down and may continue their attacks on shipping.
Footage reporting to show U.S. and British Airstrikes earlier against Houthi Targets within Sana'a International Airport in the Yemeni Capital City. pic.twitter.com/uljmhXQr8e
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 12, 2024
The Houthis have claimed that their attacks on shipping are a show of solidarity with the Palestinians and a form of resistance against Israel’s actions in Gaza. However, their actions have been widely condemned and have only escalated tensions in the region.
The U.S. and its allies have made it clear that they will not tolerate these attacks, and their recent actions serve as a strong warning to the Houthis and their backers. As the situation in the Red Sea continues to escalate, the international community remains on high alert, with the hope that the recent military actions will deter the Houthis from further attacks.