Houthi Response to US and British Strikes
The Houthis, a Yemeni rebel group, launched a missile attack on the US aircraft carrier Eisenhower in the Red Sea. This attack came as a response to recent US and British airstrikes on Yemen. The Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, announced the missile attack on Friday.
As per Saree, six US and British airstrikes in Yemen resulted in the deaths of 16 people and injuries to 41 others, including civilians. These strikes targeted several locations in the province of Hodeidah, including the port of Salif, a radio building in the Al-Hawk district, the Ghalifa camp, and two houses.
US and British Military Response
The US and British military forces stated that their strikes were aimed at deterring the Houthis from disrupting shipping in the Red Sea. The US Central Command reported that they had targeted 13 locations in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
The British defence ministry added that their joint operation focused on three sites in the port city of Hodeidah, which housed drones and surface-to-air weapons. They emphasized that careful planning was undertaken to minimize civilian casualties and damage to non-military infrastructure, and the strikes were conducted at night to further reduce these risks.
Houthi spokesperson Mohamed Abdelsalam condemned the strikes, calling them a “brutal aggression” against Yemen as a punishment for supporting Gaza. Iran, an ally of the Houthis, also denounced the strikes.
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The Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, described the actions as violations of Yemen’s sovereignty and international laws, holding the US and British governments responsible for the consequences.
Ongoing Conflict in the Red Sea
The Houthis, who control Yemen’s capital and most populated areas, have been attacking international shipping in the Red Sea since November. These attacks are part of their solidarity with the Palestinians in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The US and British forces have been conducting retaliatory strikes against Houthi targets since February in response to these disruptions.
This series of events highlights the ongoing and escalating tensions in the region, with significant implications for international maritime security and regional stability.
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