Latest updates : Speaking under anonymity, a U.S. defense official stated that the United States and Britain had struck roughly a dozen Houthi militant sites in Yemen. The attacks come after the Houthis had been attacking American warships and foreign cargo ships in the Red Sea for more than two months, intensifying a confrontation in the Middle East that American authorities have been trying desperately to contain.
In a written statement, President Biden emphasized that Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands supported the joint attacks, which were a defensive reaction to Houthi actions.
“These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most critical commercial routes,” Biden stated. “I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.”
The defense official told NPR that in addition to British aircraft, the strikes were conducted with the help of surface vessels, submarines, Navy ship-based jets, and Air Force assault aircraft. The objectives are intended to “degrade” the Houthis’ capacity to strike shipping, and they include radar locations, drone launchers, and drone storage facilities.
For days, the Biden administration has been hinting at potential reprisal against the militants in the Houthi group, who are supported by Iran. A top official has stated that the Houthis would suffer “consequences” if their attacks continue. According to the official, President Biden discussed possibilities with his national security staff during their meeting on New Year’s Day.
The Houthis have launched over two dozen drone and missile attacks against foreign cargo ships in the Red Sea since November. While American warships have shot down a large number of missiles and drones, some of the attacks have caused damage to ships.
According to the Pentagon, the Houthis conducted their biggest offensive to date on January 9th, launching anti-ship ballistic missiles, anti-ship cruise missiles, and one-way drones into the Southern Red Sea, targeting international commerce channels that were being used by hundreds of merchant vessels.
F-18 aircraft from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, along with strikes from the USS Gravely, USS Laboon, USS Mason, and the UK’s HMS Diamond, worked together to shoot down eighteen drones and missiles. It was the 26th strike by the Houthis against Red Sea commercial maritime channels. No damage or injuries were reported.