The United States and the United Kingdom have jointly launched air and surface strikes, including fighter jets, against Houthi targets in Yemen.
Supported by several other nations, the strikes targeted at least 30 locations, focusing on command and control centers, an underground weapons storage facility, and weaponry used by the Houthis to threaten international shipping lanes.
The joint statement issued by the US and UK, alongside Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, emphasized the intention to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea.
The primary objective of the strikes was to safeguard human lives and uphold the uninterrupted flow of global trade in one of the most vital maritime passages across the world.
US destroyers USS Gravely and USS Carney launched Tomahawk missiles as part of the operation, while F/A-18 fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carriers also participated.
The strikes followed the US’s interception of six Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles aimed at the Red Sea earlier. These actions are part of the Biden administration’s measured response to a recent drone attack that resulted in the death of three US service members.
United States Avoids Direct Confrontation with Iran
Seeking to avoid a direct confrontation with Iran, the US has chosen to target powerful proxies backed by Tehran in the region. The strikes in Yemen focus on countering ongoing Houthi attacks on international shipping lanes and US warships.
United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin highlighted that the strikes aimed to disrupt and degrade the capabilities of the Houthi militia. The collective action sent a clear message to the Houthis about facing consequences for their illegal attacks on international shipping.
While the strikes in Yemen are distinct from those in Iraq and Syria, both responses target Iranian-backed groups in the Middle East. President Joe Biden authorized the recent strikes, emphasizing that they were a direct response to Houthi actions.
The Houthis are unflappable and determined to carry out their military campaign against those they regard as aggressors despite earlier strikes. On the other hand, the US and its allies declare that they will protect vital waterways and guarantee the security of global trade.
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