On Saturday, US and UK fighter planes carried out joint strikes on 18 Houthi sites in Yemen in an effort to further degrade their capabilities. The allies targeted storage facilities, drones, air defense systems, radars, and a helicopter of the militant movement.
The Houthis have controlled large areas of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, for years and have been targeting vessels they say are connected to Israel and the West over the Israel-Gaza war. There have been persistent attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis on shipping in the vital Red Sea trade route.
According to a statement by the Pentagon, these “necessary and proportionate strikes” were aimed at disrupting and degrading the Houthis’ capabilities to threaten global trade, naval vessels, and the lives of innocent mariners in the critical waterway. The Houthis have launched over 45 attacks against commercial and naval vessels since mid-November, according to the statement. The UK echoed the US’ sentiments by stating that it is their responsibility to safeguard lives at sea and secure freedom of navigation.
The joint strikes were supported by Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized that the US will take action as necessary to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways.
The targeted strikes are the fourth such operation by the allies and were directed against Houthi underground weapons storage facilities, missile storage facilities, one-way attack unmanned aerial systems, air defense systems, radars, and a helicopter. While it is uncertain if the strikes have destabilized the Houthis’ capabilities, it does indicate that the US and its allies are willing to intervene when necessary to secure its interests
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