In response to a surge of attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, the United States and the United Kingdom have carried out targeted strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. New images reveal smoke hanging over the skyline of a Western Yemeni port city as the sun rises, indicating the aftermath of the strikes. Fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, an aircraft carrier, were deployed to execute the operations.
While the exact extent of the destruction inflicted on Houthi assets remains unclear, a senior US military official has described it as significant. Over 60 targets at 16 Houthi locations were hit, including radar systems, storage facilities, and launch sites for ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. This offensive marks the first known strike against the Houthis in Yemen. It highlights the growing concern over the threat to international shipping in one of the world's most crucial waterways.
In response to the strikes, the US President has conveyed a strong message that the United States and its partners will not tolerate attacks on personnel or any threats to freedom of navigation in the area. The President emphasized his commitment to protecting their people and ensuring the free flow of international commerce through measures deemed necessary.
It is yet uncertain whether the strikes will be short and limited or have a prolonged impact. While US officials have expressed that the attacks were targeted and focused on degrading the Houthi rebels' ability to assail commercial vessels in the Red Sea, they have also indicated that these strikes may not be the final response. The situation remains open-ended, awaiting the Houthi rebels' reaction and the potential repercussions.
Previously, the US had targeted Iranian proxies in Iraq and Syria, but this operation signifies a new turn in the US's approach towards the conflict in Yemen. The strikes come in the wake of a UN Security Council resolution condemning the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and urging an immediate cessation of these actions. The resolution garnered the support of 11 nations, while Russia and China, among others, chose to abstain.
The backing of the Security Council resolution and the coalition formed by several nations to carry out the strikes add credibility to the US's actions. However, the Houthi militants have vehemently condemned the strikes and directed their anger towards the US and UK. The response from the rebels and any subsequent actions by the United States are yet to be seen.
As tensions continue to surge in the region, the international community is monitoring the situation closely, carefully assessing the potential consequences of these strikes, and urging all parties involved to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
