US Launches Air Strike on Houthis in Red Sea
US Launches Air Strike on Houthis in Red Sea
US Launches Air Strike on Houthis in Red Sea
The execution of a targeted air strike by the US military in the Red Sea against Houthi rebels in Yemen serves as a decisive response to the imminent threat posed to commercial vessels. The strike, meticulously aimed at a Houthi-controlled site, sought to eliminate the peril facing maritime activities in the region.
In the early hours on Saturday local time, select military vessels, including the Navy destroyer USS Carney, utilized Tomahawk land attack missiles to neutralize the identified Houthi-controlled site. This strategic move comes on the heels of joint airstrikes conducted by the US and Britain against the Houthis. A series of strikes, commencing on Friday, successfully obliterated over 60 targets across 28 locations. US Launches Air Strike on Houthis in Red Sea
President Joe Biden had previously cautioned the Houthi rebels, indicating the likelihood of additional strikes. Following the initial airstrikes, the US Navy issued a precautionary warning to American-flagged ships, advising them to avoid areas around Yemen in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden for the next 72 hours.
The Houthis, in response to the strikes, vehemently pledged retaliation, escalating tensions in a region already grappling with the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The US military and White House officials are anticipating counteractions from the Houthi rebels. US Launches Air Strike on Houthis in Red Sea
The airstrikes were a direct response to an escalation in drone and missile attacks by the Houthis on commercial ships within the critical Red Sea region. The rebels, claiming responsibility for these disruptive attacks, have significantly impacted global trade and energy shipments.
Spanning five days, the strikes targeted Houthi-controlled regions, resulting in casualties and injuries, as reported by the rebels. President Biden, during his visit to Emmaus, Pennsylvania, expressed his commitment to addressing the provocative actions of the Houthis and their allies. When questioned about designating the Houthis as a terrorist group, President Biden firmly asserted their classification as such. US Launches Air Strike on Houthis in Red Sea
Lawmakers, both Democrats and Republicans, criticized President Biden for not seeking congressional authorization before initiating the strikes. In response, President Biden clarified that comprehensive information about the strikes had been provided prior to their execution. US Launches Air Strike on Houthis in Red Sea
Adding complexity to the situation, the Trump administration had removed the Houthis from the list of designated “foreign terrorist organizations” and “specially designated global terrorists” the previous year. However, the Biden administration initiated a review in November with the possibility of redesignating the Houthis as a terrorist organization due to their deliberate targeting of civilian vessels.
Lieutenant General Douglas Sims, director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, highlighted that the US strikes primarily focused on sparsely populated areas, minimizing casualties. The successful neutralization of various weapons, radar systems, and targeting sites, including those in remote mountain areas, further complicated the intricate dynamics of the conflict. US Launches Air Strike on Houthis in Red Sea
As the world turned its attention to the illuminated Houthi-held locations in the aftermath of the pre-dawn bombings, the ongoing conflict in Yemen took center stage. Originating from the Houthi seizure of the capital, their consistent targeting of ships in the Red Sea since November has presented their actions as reprisals for Israel’s offensive against Hamas in Gaza. However, their attacks have often struck vessels unrelated to Israel, posing a threat to global trade and energy supply routes.
Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the Houthis’ military spokesperson, pledged a robust response to the US strikes, ensuring that their actions would not go unanswered. Despite the Biden administration’s attempts to mitigate tensions, the repercussions of these airstrikes remain uncertain in a region marked by complex geopolitical dynamics.
