In a joint effort, the United States and the United Kingdom launched fresh airstrikes on Monday, targeting eight locations associated with the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The objective behind these strikes was to curb the group’s interference with commercial vessels in the Red Sea. These airstrikes, marking the eighth round in 12 days, aimed at disrupting the Houthis’ capabilities, specifically focusing on an underground storage site and areas linked to their missile and air surveillance.
The US and UK, along with partners Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, released a joint statement emphasizing that the precision strikes were intended to “disrupt and degrade” the Houthis’ abilities. The statement accused the rebel group of engaging in “illegal, dangerous, and destabilizing” actions, justifying the necessity of the military response.
Yemen’s official Saba news agency reported that the airstrikes targeted the capital, Sanaa, and other parts of the country. Houthi TV outlet al-Masirah mentioned that four strikes were directed at the Al-Dailami military base north of Sanaa, an area under rebel control. The strikes are part of an ongoing series of attacks initiated by the US and the UK in response to the Houthis’ disruptive actions, which have impacted global trade routes.
Earlier on the same day, the Houthis claimed responsibility for firing on a US military cargo ship off the coast of Yemen. These Houthi attacks, initially sparked by their opposition to Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip, have prompted a series of responses from the US and its allies. The fear is growing that this engagement might lead to a deeper involvement in the Middle East, potentially escalating into a wider regional conflict.
Adding to the complexity, the US confirmed on Monday that two Navy Seals, who went missing during a mission on January 11 to seize Iranian weapons intended for the Houthis, are now presumed dead. This marks the first publicly known US military casualties linked to the conflict. The SEALs were part of a mission near the coast of Somalia, where they seized components for ballistic and cruise missiles from a boat, subsequently sinking it.
President Joe Biden, acknowledging that the previous strikes had not achieved the intended effect, raises concerns about the evolving situation. The ongoing events underscore the delicate balance in the region and the challenges associated with resolving conflicts involving various actors with divergent interests.
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