President Joe Biden ordered direct strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, with support from the United Kingdom, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, in response to attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
The strikes targeted radar and air defense systems, as well as storage and launch sites for unmanned aerial systems, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.
The action aims to degrade the Houthi rebels’ capability to continue their attacks on international vessels and commercial shipping. (Trending: GOP Rep. Mace Clashes Directly With Hunter Biden At Hearing)
On Jan. 11 at 2:30 a.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces, in coordination with the United Kingdom, and support from Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and Bahrain conducted joint strikes on Houthi targets to degrade their capability to continue their illegal and… pic.twitter.com/bR8biMolSx
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 12, 2024
Biden said, “Today, at my direction, U.S. military forces—together with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands—successfully conducted strikes against a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most vital waterways.”
Biden claimed the strikes are a “clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most critical commercial routes.”
“I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary,” he added.
The strikes come after warnings to the Houthis to stop firing missiles and drones at vessels, some of which were owned by Israeli companies or had links to Israel.
Sen. Tom Cotton wrote in a statement, “The strikes against the Yemeni outlaws who have threatened our troops and terrorized international shipping are long overdue.”
“But things should’ve never gotten this far. President Trump wisely designated these rebels as terrorists, while one of Joe Biden’s first acts in office was to reverse that decision,” he continued.
“Then President Biden appeased Iran for three years, emboldening not only Iran, but also its proxies in places like Yemen and Gaza. After all, where do a bunch of Yemeni outlaws get the know-how to use cruise missiles and one-way attack drones? Iran. Yet President Biden still can’t even bring himself to mention Iran tonight,” wrote Sen. Cotton.
“History teaches that only devastating retaliation will deter Iran, as when President Trump killed their terrorist mastermind in 2020 and President Reagan sank half their navy in 1988. That bold, decisive action is the opposite of what we’ve seen from Joe Biden for three years,” added Sen. Cotton.
The attacks have impacted shipping, prompting reroutes and increased costs.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement, “On Jan. 11 at 2:30 a.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces, in coordination with the United Kingdom, and support from Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and Bahrain conducted joint strikes on Houthi targets to degrade their capability to continue their illegal and reckless attacks on U.S. and international vessels and commercial shipping in the Red Sea.”
“This multinational action targeted radar systems, air defense systems, and storage and launch sites for one way attack unmanned aerial systems, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles,” CENTCOM added.
Army General Michael Erik Kurilla, said, “We hold the Houthi militants and their destabilizing Iranian sponsors responsible for the illegal, indiscriminate, and reckless attacks on international shipping that have impacted 55 nations so far, including endangering the lives of hundreds of mariners, including the United States.”
“Their illegal and dangerous actions will not be tolerated, and they will be held accountable,” added the commander.
The Biden administration has faced pressure to take action against the Houthis, who have increased attacks against U.S. troops and ships.
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