In a significant escalation of military action, the U.S. and British militaries conducted joint bombing raids against the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen on Monday night.
This operation, involving coordinated strikes, marks the second instance of such an allied response targeting the rebels’ missile capabilities.
U.S. utilizes warships, jets in targeted strikes against Houthi sites in Yemen
U.S. officials, speaking under anonymity, revealed that warships, submarines, and fighter jets were utilized in these strikes, specifically targeting Houthi missile storage and launching sites.
The recent operation follows a similar, large-scale assault conducted about ten days prior, which represented the first U.S. military reaction to a series of drone and missile attacks by the Houthis.
These attacks, which have been ongoing since the Israel-Hamas war began in October, have primarily targeted commercial shipping.
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U.S.-U.K. forces conduct extensive strikes in Yemen, impacting Sanaa
The initial response involved strikes on over 60 targets across 28 locations, signaling a robust and coordinated effort by U.S. and British forces.
According to the Houthis’ media office, the latest raids impacted multiple sites in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa.
Jamal Hassan, a resident of south Sanaa, described the proximity of two strikes to his home to The Associated Press, noting the resultant car alarms set off in the streets.
U.S. intensifies strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen
An AP journalist also confirmed the presence of aircraft over Sanaa on Monday night.
The recent surge in allied military activities, involving daily attacks on Houthi missile launchers, illustrates the advanced capability of the U.S. military to monitor, identify, and engage in militant activities in Yemen.
Officials emphasized the focus on armed and ready launchers, indicating a proactive approach to countering threats.
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Continued Houthi aggression despite U.S. strikes signals rising risk of regional war
However, the ongoing conflict, marked by a series of attacks and counterattacks involving the U.S., its allies, and adversaries, indicates that the retaliatory strikes have yet to dissuade the Houthis from their campaign against shipping in the Red Sea.
The situation points to an increasingly likely scenario of a broader regional war, a development the U.S. has attempted to prevent for several months.
The Houthis have consistently targeted ships in regional waters, claiming they are either associated with Israel or en route to Israeli ports.
Houthi attacks on shipping questioned amid escalating Gaza conflict
These attacks are purportedly in response to the Israeli offensive in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’ attack in southern Israel on October 7.
However, as the conflict persists, the connection of these targeted ships to the stated reasons behind the Houthi assaults appears increasingly questionable.
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