WASHINGTON/ADEN - The United States conducted another strike against Houthi forces in Yemen, following the Biden administration's commitment to safeguard shipping in the Red Sea. The strike, targeting a radar site, occurred after a series of American and British strikes on Houthi facilities. The U.S. Central Command stated that the guided missile destroyer Carney deployed Tomahawk missiles to degrade the Houthis' capability to attack maritime vessels.
This action came amidst growing concerns about a broader regional conflict. U.S. and British warplanes, ships, and submarines launched missiles across Yemen, hitting 60 targets in 28 locations controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi group. The initial strikes aimed to diminish the Houthis' capacity to store, launch, and guide missiles or drones threatening Red Sea shipping.
President Biden warned of additional strikes if Houthi attacks on merchant and military vessels persist. Witnesses reported explosions near military bases in Sanaa, Taiz, Hodeidah, and the coastal Hajjah governorate. The Houthi movement vowed retaliation, and their Al-Masirah TV reported U.S. and British raids targeting the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.
In response to the strikes, the UK Maritime Trade Operations received reports of a missile landing near a ship southeast of Aden, identified as a Panama-flagged tanker carrying Russian oil. Houthi leaders condemned the attacks, labeling them as terrorism, with widespread protests in Sanaa denouncing the U.S. and Israel.
The Red Sea crisis is seen as part of the broader regional impact stemming from Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The U.S. defended the strikes at the United Nations, emphasizing the intent to disrupt Houthi attacks on vessels and commercial shipping.
The situation has raised concerns about a potential spillover of conflict, impacting a region already grappling with the aftermath of wars and famine. Oil prices experienced fluctuations, and commercial shipping routes in the Red Sea were affected. While some U.S. allies supported the strikes, others, including Italy, Spain, and France, opted not to participate, expressing concerns about a wider escalation.
As tensions rise, the international community watches closely for further developments in this evolving geopolitical landscape.