May 31st 2024.
On Thursday, the United States and Britain took decisive action against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. This came in response to a recent increase in attacks by the Iran-backed militia group on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. According to three US officials, 13 Houthi targets were struck in various locations.
The officials revealed that American and British fighter jets, as well as US ships, were utilized in the operation. They targeted a wide range of facilities, including underground locations, missile launchers, and command and control sites. A Houthi vessel was also hit, along with other important facilities. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity, as the operation is still ongoing and details are being kept confidential.
In addition, the US also targeted eight unmanned aerial vehicles in areas of Yemen controlled by the Houthis. These were deemed to be a threat to American and coalition forces. The strikes were carried out just one day after a US MQ-9 Reaper drone was shot down in Yemen. The Houthis released footage claiming to show the aircraft being targeted with a surface-to-air missile. This was the third such incident this month alone.
Earlier this week, a Marshall Islands-flagged and Greek-owned ship was twice attacked by missiles in the Red Sea. A private security firm reported that the vessel took on water and sustained damage. While no group has claimed responsibility, the suspicion fell on the Houthis. This is the fifth time since January 12 that the US and British militaries have joined forces against the Houthis. However, the US has also been carrying out daily strikes to eliminate Houthi targets, including incoming missiles and drones.
The operation was launched from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier in the Red Sea, with F/A-18 fighter jets playing a key role. Other US warships in the region also participated in the operation. The Houthis have been targeting shipping in the region more frequently in recent months, demanding an end to the war in Gaza. This conflict has claimed the lives of over 36,000 Palestinians since it began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7.
According to the US Maritime Administration, there have been over 50 Houthi attacks on shipping, with one vessel seized and another sunk since November. As a result, shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has been significantly impacted. In response, the US has been taking out missile launchers and drones targeting vessels in the region over the past week.
President Joe Biden and other senior leaders have made it clear that the US will not tolerate these attacks on commercial shipping. However, it seems that the Houthis' campaign against shipping in the region has yet to be deterred by these counterattacks.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
