U.S. and U.K. forces conducted airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, targeting missile and drone storage facilities.
The strikes, involving ships and warplanes, aimed to disrupt Houthi threats to global trade and maritime security.
The action was a response to Houthi attacks on international vessels.
“Today, the militaries of the United States and United Kingdom, at the direction of their respective governments with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, conducted an additional round of proportionate and necessary strikes against 8 Houthi targets in Yemen in response to the Houthis’ continued attacks against international and commercial shipping as well as naval vessels transiting the Red Sea,” a joint statement read.
“Today’s strike specifically targeted a Houthi underground storage site and locations associated with the Houthis’ missile and air surveillance capabilities,” the statement read. “The Houthis’ now more than thirty attacks on international and commercial vessels since mid-November constitute an international challenge.
“Our aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, but let us reiterate our warning to Houthi leadership: we will not hesitate to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways in the face of continued threats,” the joint statement added.
The mission successfully removed significant Houthi capabilities, with an estimated 25-30 munitions dropped.
The U.S. emphasized that targets were selected to minimize casualties and avoid escalating the conflict in the region.
“The particular weapons storage facility was assessed to have more advanced conventional weaponry in it than in the first strike on the 11th,” a senior military official stated.
“We’re specifically avoiding escalation by selecting these locations and individual targets that will remove capability used in maritime attacks,” the official noted. “We are not at this time expanding beyond that.”
Read Also:
Famous Journalist Who Mocked Unvaccinated Passes Away
VP Kamala Harris Reacts After Being Called ‘Incapable’