U.S. and British forces launched a new wave of strikes in Yemen on Shabbos, hitting dozens of military targets used by Iranian-backed militants responsible for repeated attacks on commercial vessels and military warships off the Arabian Peninsula, officials said.
The operation concentrated on 13 locations, including deeply buried weapons-storage facilities, missiles and launchers, air defenses, and radars, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said. The strikes were conducted by sea and air, involving F/A-18 fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and Tomahawk missiles launched from ships in the Red Sea.
The military action aimed to send a clear message that further consequences would follow unless the attacks stop, according to Austin. He added, We will not hesitate to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways.
Military personnel from Canada, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands provided support during the strikes, officials confirmed.
These strikes in Yemen come after the bombardment of around 85 targets in Iraq and Syria on Friday night. The Biden administration views this as a multi-day campaign to prevent future attacks on American personnel. Militias based in both countries, supported by Iran, have targeted U.S. forces over 165 times since October, resulting in the deaths of three U.S. soldiers in Jordan on January 28.
President Biden has vowed that the U.S. response to these deaths will continue at times and places of their choosing.
The Houthis, an extremist group that gained control of much of Yemen in 2014, have been launching attacks on civilian and military vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Their arsenal includes an array of missiles, one-way attack drones, and remotely piloted vessels filled with explosives. The Houthis justify their actions as a protest against Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip and perceived U.S. support.
Although the Houthi attacks have not resulted in civilian casualties or deaths among U.S. forces at sea, the near-daily violence has significantly disrupted global shipping. While U.S. warships have successfully intercepted numerous missiles and attack drones, several have hit commercial vessels, leading to fires and prompting many mariners to avoid the Red Sea and Suez Canal, opting for a longer and costlier voyage around the southern Horn of Africa.
Initially, the Biden administration was cautious about engaging directly with the Houthis due to concerns of potential escalation in violence, given the ongoing Middle East tensions surrounding the Gaza crisis. Nevertheless, the United States, in conjunction with Britain, launched numerous strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, marking a shift in their approach.
Since then, U.S. forces have conducted several operations in Yemen, targeting missiles before they can be launched. Earlier today, six such strikes occurred, with U.S. Central Command identifying anti-ship cruise missiles that were intended for the Red Sea.
The renewed military action in Yemen reinforces the international community’s commitment to ensuring the safety of commercial shipping routes and deterring further attacks by Iranian-backed militants. By targeting these military facilities and disrupting the militants’ capabilities, the U.S. and its allies hope to bring an end to the violence and protect the lives of innocent civilians and servicemen.
As the situation in Yemen unfolds, it remains to be seen how Iran and other relevant parties will respond to these latest developments. The impact of these strikes on the overall stability of the region and the ongoing conflicts in Iraq, Syria, and the Gaza Strip also warrant close attention.
In the coming days, global leaders are expected to assess the effectiveness of these military operations and determine if further action is necessary to achieve the desired outcome of peace and security in the region.
