U.S. and U.K. Military Respond with Force to Houthi Attacks in the Red Sea
On Thursday, U.S. and U.K. forces launched extensive attacks on multiple locations in Yemen, utilized by the Iran-supported Houthi group. This significant retaliatory action involved the use of naval and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter aircraft, as confirmed by American officials. Targeted sites included supply centers, air defense systems, and arms storage and deployment areas.
President Joe Biden clarified that these actions are a direct reaction to the Houthis’ relentless aggression in the Red Sea area.
“These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea — including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history,” Biden said in a statement. “These attacks have endangered U.S. personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardized trade, and threatened freedom of navigation.”
Journalists from the Associated Press in Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, reported hearing explosions early Friday, with no visible warplane activity. Residents in Hodieda and Taiz also reported hearing explosions, indicating a widespread impact of the strikes.
These actions represent the first U.S. military response to a series of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships, escalating since the Israel-Hamas conflict began. This coordinated military response follows a final warning issued to the Houthis by the U.S. and its allies, demanding a cessation of hostilities.
Despite a brief lull in attacks following the warning, the Houthis resumed their aggressive actions with a significant drone and missile barrage targeting Red Sea shipping. In response, U.S. and British forces, along with American jets, neutralized several drones and missiles.
The U.K.’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also acknowledged targeted Royal Air Force strikes against Houthi military installations, framing it as a defensive move to protect global shipping and degrade Houthi military capacity.
The Houthis have ramped up their assaults, with 27 attacks involving numerous drones and missiles since late November. Their leader, Abdel Malek al-Houthi, warned of a robust military reaction to any American attacks. The Houthis claim their actions are to counter Israel’s campaign in Gaza, although their targets increasingly diverge from any direct connection to Israel, endangering a vital international trade route.
U.S.’s Strategic Initiative to Protect Crucial Maritime Routes
The U.N. Security Council, with an 11-0 vote and four abstentions, passed a resolution demanding an immediate halt to Houthi attacks and implicitly condemned Iran for supplying weapons to the group.
The U.S. led the formation of an extensive international coalition to combat the Houthis, with over 20 countries joining a maritime mission to enhance ship protection in the Red Sea. U.S. officials had been cautious about signaling a military response, despite ongoing attacks on commercial ships, but recent developments prompted a firm stance against the Houthis.
The Biden administration’s initial reluctance to retaliate was influenced by concerns about destabilizing the fragile Yemen truce and igniting a broader regional conflict. However, the increasing threat to international shipping and escalating attacks prompted a stern coalition warning, supported by numerous countries, including the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Canada.
In response, the U.S. established Operation Prosperity Guardian to enhance maritime security in key areas like the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait, crucial for global commerce, with about 22 countries participating. This operation followed missile attacks by Houthis on commercial vessels, heightening regional military presence to deter further escalation.
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