U.S. and British Forces Launch Precision Strikes on Houthi Targets in Yemen in Response to Escalating Maritime Threats
In a decisive move, the United States and Britain conducted airstrikes on 18 Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday, countering a surge in attacks by the Iran-backed militia group on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The recent attacks included a missile strike that ignited a cargo vessel, prompting a swift and coordinated response from the international coalition.
U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to provide initial details of the ongoing military operation, reported that American and British fighter jets targeted sites in eight locations. The focus was on missiles, launchers, rockets, drones, and air defense systems. This marks the fourth joint operation against the Houthis since January 12, reflecting a concerted effort to address the escalating threat.
The U.S. F/A-18 fighter jets launched from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, currently positioned in the Red Sea, underscoring the strategic nature of the response. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asserted, “The United States will not hesitate to take action, as needed, to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways.”
In response to the airstrikes, the Houthis denounced the operation as “US-British aggression” and pledged to continue their military activities. The Yemeni Armed Forces issued a statement vowing to confront the “US-British escalation” with additional military operations in defense of their country, people, and nation.
A joint statement from the U.S., U.K., and other allies emphasized that the strikes were “necessary and proportionate” and specifically targeted 18 Houthi sites across eight locations in Yemen. The selection of targets included underground storage facilities, radar installations, and a helicopter.
U.K. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps detailed that RAF Typhoon jets engaged in “precision strikes” aimed at degrading Houthi drones and launchers. The decision to launch these strikes followed severe Houthi attacks against commercial ships, including the British-owned MV Islander and the MV Rubymar, leading to the abandonment of the vessels. This marks the fourth instance of Britain joining in the U.S.-led strikes.
The international coalition, which includes Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, expressed support for the military action. President Joe Biden and other leaders have consistently warned against Houthi attacks on commercial shipping, emphasizing the need to restore stability in the Red Sea.
Despite counterattacks, the Houthis have persisted in their campaign against shipping in the region. Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh acknowledged an increase in attacks in the past 48 to 72 hours, highlighting the sophistication of Houthi weaponry, often supplied by Iran.
The U.S. attacks on the Houthis have been extensive, targeting over 120 launchers, more than 10 surface-to-air missiles, 40 storage and support buildings, 15 drone storage facilities, more than 20 unmanned air, surface, and underwater vehicles, as well as several underground storage areas and other facilities.
The Houthis, led by supreme leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi, recently announced an “escalation in sea operations” as part of a pressure campaign, linking their actions to Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. However, the randomness of their targets has raised concerns, jeopardizing a vital waterway for cargo and energy shipments from Asia and the Middle East to Europe.
The attacks have prompted shipping companies to reroute vessels from the Red Sea, opting for the longer and costlier passage around Africa through the Cape of Good Hope. The persistent threats have led the U.S. and its allies to establish a joint mission, providing air defense for ships traveling between the Suez Canal and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
In response to Thursday’s attack in the Gulf of Aden, where the Houthis fired two missiles at the Palau-flagged cargo ship Islander, Central Command launched attacks on Houthi-held areas on Friday, destroying seven mobile anti-ship cruise missiles.
A Houthi attack on a Belize-flagged ship on Feb. 18 caused an 18-mile oil slick, raising concerns about a potential environmental disaster. The Rubymar, a British-registered, Lebanese-operated cargo vessel, was attacked in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Satellite images from Planet Labs PBC revealed oil leakage in the Red Sea.
Yemen’s internationally recognized government has urgently called for international intervention to address the oil slick and prevent a significant environmental disaster. The situation remains fluid as global stakeholders grapple with the multifaceted challenges posed by the ongoing conflict in the region.