On Thursday, the US and UK military forces initiated strikes against Houthi targets in areas under Houthi control in Yemen, marking a substantial response following warnings from the Biden administration and its allies about the Iran-backed group’s actions impacting commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
US President Joe Biden stated that he ordered these strikes as a direct response to the unprecedented Houthi attacks on international maritime vessels in the Red Sea. In collaboration with the United Kingdom and support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, the US military successfully targeted various sites in Yemen utilized by Houthi rebels to threaten freedom of navigation in one of the world’s crucial waterways.
Emphasizing his commitment to protecting people and international commerce, President Biden asserted his willingness to take further measures as necessary. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak framed the strikes as an act of self-defense, aiming to de-escalate tensions and restore stability to the region.
Initially, US Air Forces Central Commander Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich reported over 60 targets struck with more than 100 precision-guided munitions at 16 Iranian-backed Houthi militant locations. These included command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities, and air defense radar systems. Director of the Joint Staff Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims II later revealed that another 12 locations were targeted in a near-immediate decision following the initial strikes on Thursday.
Despite condemnation from various leaders in the Middle East, the strikes resulted in five casualties and six injuries, according to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sare’e. Sare’e however, asserted that the airstrikes would not dissuade further Houthi attacks on shipping.