US, Britain Carry Out Strikes Across Yemen in Retaliation for Houthi Attacks
U.S. and British warplanes, ships, and submarines launched strikes across Yemen in retaliation against Iran-backed Houthi forces for their attacks on Red Sea shipping. The strikes are a result of the escalating regional conflict triggered by Israel’s war in Gaza. Witnesses reported explosions throughout Yemen, with military bases and naval sites being targeted in several locations.
President Joe Biden emphasized that these targeted strikes send a clear message that the United States and its partners will not tolerate attacks on their personnel or allow hostile actors to threaten freedom of navigation. The Houthis, in response, claimed that five of their fighters were killed in 73 airstrikes. They vowed to retaliate and continue their attacks on shipping, arguing that they support Palestinians against Israel.
A U.S. official stated that the strikes aimed to weaken the Houthis’ military capabilities and were not merely symbolic. Specific locations were targeted with precision munitions. The attacks caused panic among Yemeni citizens, who are already dealing with the effects of a decade of war and near-famine conditions. Long queues formed at petrol stations as people feared an extended conflict with the West, leading to fuel shortages and scarcity of food supplies.
In Hodeidah, Yemen’s main Red Sea port, troops were seen patrolling the streets, and military vehicles were leaving barracks under security escorts. Although the Houthis claimed that the strikes would not hinder their ability to threaten merchant shipping, the British defense ministry stated that the strikes had dealt a blow to the Houthis’ capabilities.
The global impact of the conflict is already being felt, with concerns over disrupted oil supplies leading to a sharp rise in prices. Shipping lines have been forced to reroute vessels around Africa due to Houthi attacks on commercial ships, resulting in increased costs and potential inflation. Tesla announced that it would temporarily shut down its factory in Germany due to delays in parts supplies caused by the unrest in the Red Sea.
While the United States and its allies aim to keep the shipping lane open, the risk of an escalation of the regional conflict remains. Saudi Arabia called for restraint and urged all parties to avoid escalation. The United States has accused Iran of being operationally involved in the Houthi attacks, providing military capabilities and intelligence support.
In the past three months, violence has escalated in Lebanon, the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Syria, and Iraq following Israel’s military assault on Gaza. The United States has troops deployed in Syria and Iraq and has previously retaliated against Iran-backed groups for attacks in these regions. Iraq’s state news agency highlighted that the conflict is expanding beyond Yemen, raising concerns among experts.
As tensions continue to rise, the international community remains on high alert, closely monitoring the situation in Yemen and its impact on the broader region.
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