US and UK Launch Retaliatory Strikes on Houthi Militants in Yemen, Targeting Logistics and Defense Systems

The U.S. and British militaries conducted a retaliatory strike against Houthi military sites in Yemen on Thursday, utilizing warships, submarines, Tomahawk missiles, and fighter jets, according to U.S. officials. The targets included logistical hubs, air defense systems, and weapons storage and launching locations. This marks the first military response from the U.S. to the ongoing campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. The strikes were carried out following failed diplomatic negotiations and careful consideration. The move aims to demonstrate that the U.S. and its allies will not tolerate the Houthi militant group’s persistent attacks, which have threatened international maritime vessels, trade, and the freedom of navigation. Associated Press journalists in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, reported hearing explosions, but no warplanes were sighted. The attacks by the Houthis have escalated during the Israel-Hamas war, endangering the crucial trade route connecting Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. The U.K. also participated in the strikes, underscoring the broad international coalition against the Houthis. The militias have threatened a fierce military response to any American attack on their sites. In response to the attacks, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate end to the Houthi attacks and implicating Iran, their weapons supplier. The resolution was approved with a vote of 11-0, with four abstentions. The Biden administration aims to utilize international collaboration to combat the threat posed by the Houthis, with over 20 nations participating in a U.S.-led maritime mission to ensure the protection of ships in the Red Sea.