In a significant military operation, American and British airstrikes were carried out on Houthi targets in Yemen, according to a statement from the Pentagon. The strikes were conducted in response to the ongoing attacks by the Irani-backed Houthis on commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea.
The operation involved a multinational coalition, including the United States, Britain, Bahrain, the Netherlands, and Australia. The goal of the strikes was to send a clear message that the international community will not tolerate the continued attacks by the Houthis.
The targeted facilities were known to house radars, missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities that enabled the Houthis to conduct these attacks. The strikes were intended to disrupt and degrade their ability to launch further attacks in the future.
The Pentagon spokesman stated that the operation sought to be surgical, precise, and deliberate in its execution. Damage assessments are currently underway to determine the effectiveness of the strikes. However, the spokesman emphasized that the intent of the strikes was to degrade the Houthi capabilities.
The spokesman also highlighted the importance of the Red Sea, with about 10 to 15% of global trade transiting through the waterway. The attacks by the Houthis have affected over 50 nations and pose a threat to maritime security and the global economy. The international coalition aims to protect and defend commercial shipping and mariners passing through the Red Sea.
While the Houthis have issued threats of retaliation, there have been no reports of any response or further attacks thus far. The Pentagon spokesman stated that the international community has been warning the Houthis about the consequences of their actions for some time.
The exact breakdown of the coalition's military assets was not provided. However, the emphasis was placed on the multinational nature of the effort. The goal of the strikes was to ensure the safety of commercial vessels and mariners and to deter future attacks.
The situation in Yemen remains tense as the international community closely monitors the response of the Houthis. There is a hope that the strikes will deter further aggression and lead to a de-escalation of the conflict in the region.
