Image - U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jorge LeBaron/Handout via REUTERS
• US and UK jointly strike 36 Houthi targets in Yemen across 13 locations.
• Shipping companies divert from the Red Sea, impacting almost 15% of seatrade.
• Houthis claim solidarity with Palestinians but target vessels without Israeli connection.
London - In a major joint effort, the United States and Britain conducted strikes against 36 Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday. This marked the second day of significant U.S. operations against Iran-linked groups in response to a deadly attack on American troops. The strikes targeted buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems, launchers, and other capabilities used by the Houthis to attack Red Sea shipping. The Pentagon revealed that 13 locations across Yemen were hit.
The action aims to convey a strong message to the Houthis about the consequences they will face if they continue their illegal attacks on international shipping and naval vessels, according to U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Sarea, warned of responses and consequences to the U.S. strikes.
The situation in Yemen unfolds alongside a broader U.S. campaign of military retaliation following the killing of three American soldiers in a drone strike by Iran-backed militants in Jordan. The first wave of retaliation targeted over 85 locations in Iraq and Syria linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reportedly resulting in nearly 40 casualties.
The U.S. accuses Iran-backed militias of attacking its troops in various locations, while the Houthis in Yemen have been targeting commercial ships and warships in the Red Sea. The conflict has led major shipping lines to avoid the Red Sea route, increasing costs and raising concerns about global inflation.
President Biden's strategy on Yemen aims to weaken the Houthi militants without directly confronting Iran. It combines limited military strikes and sanctions to punish the Houthis while minimizing the risk of a broader Middle East conflict.
Despite more than a dozen previous strikes against Houthi targets, these actions have not deterred the group's attacks. The recent strikes targeted missile capabilities, drone storage, and operations sites, as well as radars and helicopters.
The U.S. stressed that it does not seek war with Iran, and the strikes do not directly target Iran but degrade the capabilities of groups it supports. The response from Tehran remains uncertain, with Iran condemning the attacks in Iraq and Syria as strategic mistakes leading to increased tension and instability.
The Houthi military reported a total of 48 airstrikes by the United States and Britain in Yemen, with specific focus on the capital Sanaa, Taiz Governorate, and Hodeidah Governorate. The goal is to degrade Houthi capabilities to carry out attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The latest strikes in Yemen followed closely after the U.S. targeted Iranian interests along the Iraq-Syria border in response to the attack on a U.S. base in Jordan. The calibrated strikes aimed at destroying infrastructure while minimizing casualties and tensions with Iran.
The effectiveness of these military actions and potential responses from Iran and its proxies remain uncertain, as tensions in the region persist amidst ongoing talks for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.