US and UK Launch Strikes on Houthi Targets in Yemen, Responding to Recent Attacks on Ships
In a joint operation, the United States and the United Kingdom launched strikes on 18 Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday. This military action comes as a response to a surge in attacks by the Iran-backed militia group on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, including a recent missile strike that set fire to a cargo vessel. American and British fighter jets targeted missiles, launchers, rockets, drones, and air defense systems in eight different locations.
This is not the first time that the US and UK militaries have conducted a combined operation against the Houthis. In fact, this marks the fourth time since January 12th. However, the US has been carrying out almost daily strikes to neutralize Houthi targets, including incoming missiles and drones aimed at ships, as well as weapons that were ready to launch.
The strikes were carried out by US F/A-18 fighter jets launched from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, currently stationed in the Red Sea. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized the importance of defending lives and ensuring the free flow of commerce in critical waterways. He stated, “The United States will not hesitate to take action, as needed, to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways.”
The Houthis condemned the “US-British aggression” and vowed to continue their military operations in response. They issued a statement affirming their commitment to defending their country, people, and nation against hostile targets in the Red and Arabian Seas. The ongoing conflict between the Houthis and the coalition led by Saudi Arabia has caused significant instability in Yemen.
The strikes were supported by other allies, including Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. The coalition released a statement asserting that the strikes were necessary and proportionate, specifically targeting 18 Houthi targets across eight locations in Yemen. The targets included underground storage facilities, radar installations, and a helicopter.
UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps highlighted the precision strikes carried out by RAF Typhoon jets, aimed at degrading Houthi drones and launchers. He explained that these strikes were in response to severe Houthi attacks against commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, including the British-owned MV Islander and the MV Rubymar, which forced the crew to abandon ship. This marks the fourth time that the UK has participated in the US-led strikes.
President Joe Biden and other senior leaders have repeatedly warned that the US will not tolerate Houthi attacks against commercial shipping. However, despite the counterattacks, the Houthis’ campaign against shipping in the region has not diminished. The militants claim that their attacks are in response to Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The Houthis have launched at least 57 attacks on commercial and military ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November 19th, with an increase in pace in recent days. Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh acknowledged the sophistication of the Houthis’ capabilities, stating, “We know that the Houthis maintain a large arsenal. They are very capable. They have sophisticated weapons, and that’s because they continue to get them from Iran.”
The persistent targeting and near misses have prompted shipping companies to reroute their vessels from the Red Sea, opting for the longer and costlier route around Africa through the Cape of Good Hope. To ensure the safety of ships traveling between the Suez Canal and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the US and its allies have established a joint mission where participating nations provide air defense protection.
The recent attack on a Palau-flagged cargo ship named Islander in the Gulf of Aden further highlights the danger posed by the Houthis. The attack, which involved two missiles, caused a fire and wounded a sailor on board. Despite the attack, the vessel continued its journey. Central Command also reported that a Houthi attack on a Belize-flagged ship on February 18th resulted in an 18-mile oil slick and warned of the potential environmental disaster caused by the vessel’s cargo of fertilizer.
The situation in Yemen remains volatile, with ongoing conflicts between the Houthis and the coalition forces. The US and UK’s military strikes aim to deter further attacks on commercial shipping and protect vital waterways in the region. However, it is clear that the Houthis’ capabilities and determination pose significant challenges to achieving stability in Yemen and ensuring the free flow of commerce in these critical areas.
