This photo, provided by the UK Ministry of Defence, was taken on January 10, 2024 on the bridge of the HMS Diamond. In it, we can see Sea Viper missiles being fired in the Red Sea. Image Credit: UK Ministry of Defence
In a significant military operation, US and UK forces, along with help from other allies, launched multiple strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. This move, confirmed by US President Joe Biden, was a direct response to the Iran-backed Houthi group’s repeated attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
President Biden stated, “Today, at my direction, US military forces — together with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands—successfully conducted strikes against several targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most vital waterways.”
The operation involved over 60 targeted strikes at 16 locations, aiming to dismantle Houthi capabilities significantly. US Air Forces Central Commander Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich elaborated,
“The Houthi assets included command and control nodes, munitions, depots, launching systems, production facilities, and air defense radar systems.”
The decision to strike was not taken lightly. For weeks, the US had been reluctant to engage directly in Yemen due to the potential for regional escalation. However, the ongoing Houthi threats to international shipping necessitated this response. This marks a departure from previous US military policy in the region, as it is the first known strike against the Houthis in Yemen, despite previous actions against Iranian proxies in Iraq and Syria. We are now involved in direct military actions in the Middle East with multiple international players.
The strikes were executed using fighter jets and Tomahawk missiles, focusing on precision to minimize collateral damage. The weaponry included contributions from the USS Florida, a guided missile submarine, and British Typhoon jets from RAF Akrotiri, a Royal Air Force base located in Cyprus. UK junior armed forces minister James Heappey confirmed the successful targeting of at least 14 Houthi positions.
In a significant military operation, US and UK forces, along with help from other allies, launched multiple strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. This move, confirmed by US President Joe Biden, was a direct response to the Iran-backed Houthi group’s repeated attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
President Biden stated, “Today, at my direction, US military forces — together with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands—successfully conducted strikes against several targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most vital waterways.”
The operation involved over 60 targeted strikes at 16 locations, aiming to dismantle Houthi capabilities significantly. US Air Forces Central Commander Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich elaborated,
“The Houthi assets included command and control nodes, munitions, depots, launching systems, production facilities, and air defense radar systems.”
The decision to strike was not taken lightly. For weeks, the US had been reluctant to engage directly in Yemen due to the potential for regional escalation. However, the ongoing Houthi threats to international shipping necessitated this response. This marks a departure from previous US military policy in the region, as it is the first known strike against the Houthis in Yemen, despite previous actions against Iranian proxies in Iraq and Syria. We are now involved in direct military actions in the Middle East with multiple international players.
The strikes were executed using fighter jets and Tomahawk missiles, focusing on precision to minimize collateral damage. The weaponry included contributions from the USS Florida, a guided missile submarine, and British Typhoon jets from RAF Akrotiri, a Royal Air Force base located in Cyprus. UK junior armed forces minister James Heappey confirmed the successful targeting of at least 14 Houthi positions.
BREAKING: The U.S. military has unleashed a large-scale retaliatory strike against multiple Houthi targets in Yemen following months of attacks by the Iranian-backed militants on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, a U.S. official says. https://t.co/vyom1tnYyA
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sare’e acknowledged casualties but remained defiant, stating, “The airstrikes will not deter further Houthi attacks on shipping.” This reaction underscores the situation’s complexity and the risk of continued conflict in the region.
The operation also aligns with broader international concerns. French forces, led by Rear-Admiral Emmanuel Slaars, are patrolling Red Sea waters, sharing intelligence with the US, though they remain under national command.
A map of Yemen showing the position of its capital, Sana’a.
A senior US military official highlighted the targeted nature of the strikes, emphasizing, “We were absolutely not targeting civilian population centers. We were going after very specific capabilities, in very specific locations, with precision munitions.”
The context of these strikes is rooted in a pattern of Houthi aggression against commercial shipping, posing a direct threat to international trade and regional stability. The US, along with its allies, has signaled a readiness to take further measures to protect international commerce and deter Houthi actions. These developments point to a heightened focus on securing critical maritime routes and a willingness to respond decisively to regional threats.
Will this ramp up or help quell Houthi aggression in the region? Only time will tell.
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