The US and Britain on Monday launched a fresh wave of punitive airstrikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen in retaliation for attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
The bombing which targeted rebel strongholds – including drone and missile sites as well as underground bunkers – was the eighth US-led strike in 11 days.
Monday’s attack also marked the second time the US and Britain launched joint counter-attacks on locations linked to the Houthis.
“President Biden has directed the Secretary of Defense in coordination with Australia, Bahrain, Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom to carry out precision strikes against selected Houthi targets in Yemen,” a senior US defense official said on a call with reporters.
“These actions are aimed at preventing further regional maritime attacks, and reducing Houthi capabilities.”
US and British forces bombed eight locations used by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. Getty Images
The US and Britain began bombing Houthi targets at 4pm EST, dropping around 25 to 30 missiles, according to a Pentagon military official. The country’s military deployed warship and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets to take out their targets.
The goal of the attack was to remove supplies the Houthis could use to attack commercial ships in the Red Sea — an initiative the US-designated terrorist group claimed was a response to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza and began at Israel’s inception. -Hamas war in October.
Houthi attacks have threatened to disrupt global trade and often target ships indiscriminately – whether or not they are linked to Israel and its strongest ally, the US.
US authorities said Monday’s mission was a success.
“We can tell you that we are seeing good results,” a senior military official told reporters. The attack destroyed “missiles, unmanned aerial systems, and weapons storage areas.”
The US and its allies have repeatedly warned the Houthis that it will take action if its attacks on Red Sea vessels do not stop. The threat, however, appears to have done little to stop the Houthi missiles, which US fighter jets and ship-launched Tomahawks have been taking down almost daily.
The US and UK are using warship and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets to take out Houthi missile caches and launchers. The six-nation US Central Command said the strikes specifically targeted Houthi underground storage sites and locations linked to Houthi missile and air surveillance capabilities. US Central Command Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft have carried out precision strike operations against Houthi military targets in response to further attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. via REUTERS
Another warning came along with Monday’s attack.
“We stand ready to take further action to neutralize threats or respond to attacks ensuring the stability and security of the Red Sea region and international trade routes,” a senior US defense official said.
The Houthis, who are supported and well equipped by Iran, have made it clear that they do not plan to reduce their attacks in the Red Sea, where about 400 commercial ships pass through at any given time.
The joint operation came about 10 days after US and British warships and fighter jets attacked more than 60 targets in 28 locations. Getty Images The five latest attacks are labeled self-defense to release missiles ready to fire. Reuters
With Postal wire
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
