US, Britain Strike Back at Houthis in Yemen After Surge in Attacks

The US and Britain conducted a joint military operation against Houthi targets in Yemen, targeting missiles, launchers, rockets, drones, and unmanned vehicles in response to recent attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

In response to a recent surge in attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi militia group on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the United States and Britain launched a joint military operation, striking more than a dozen Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday. The attacks were a direct response to a missile strike earlier in the week that set fire to a cargo vessel.

Multiple Locations Targeted

According to US officials, American and British fighter jets hit approximately 18 sites across multiple locations, targeting missiles, launchers, rockets, drones, and unmanned surface and underwater vehicles. The officials provided details of the ongoing military operation on condition of anonymity.

Ongoing Military Operations

This marks the fourth combined operation conducted by the US and British militaries against the Houthis since January 12. Additionally, the US has been carrying out almost daily strikes to eliminate Houthi targets, including incoming missiles and drones aimed at ships, as well as weapons prepared for launch. The US fighter jets involved in the operation were launched from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, currently stationed in the Red Sea.

Houthi Attacks Continue Despite Counterattacks

Despite repeated warnings from President Joe Biden and other senior leaders that the US will not tolerate Houthi attacks against commercial shipping, the counterattacks have not deterred the group's campaign against shipping in the region. The Houthis claim that their actions are in response to Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Increased Attacks in Recent Days

Since November 19, the Houthis have launched at least 57 attacks on commercial and military ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, with the pace escalating in recent days. Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh acknowledged that the Houthis have not been deterred by the counterattacks and that they possess a large arsenal of sophisticated weapons obtained from Iran.

US Strikes Target Houthi Infrastructure

Over the past month and a half, the US has conducted at least 32 strikes in Yemen, some with allied involvement. Additionally, US warships have intercepted and destroyed dozens of incoming missiles, rockets, and drones targeting commercial and Navy vessels. The US attacks on the Houthis have targeted over 120 launchers, more than 10 surface-to-air missiles, 40 storage and support buildings, 15 drone storage buildings, over 20 unmanned air, surface, and underwater vehicles, several underground storage areas, and other facilities.

Houthis Escalate Sea Operations

The Houthis' supreme leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, recently announced an "escalation in sea operations" as part of a pressure campaign to end Israel's war on Hamas. However, while the group claims that the attacks are aimed at stopping the war, their targets have become more random, endangering a vital waterway for cargo and energy shipments traveling from Asia and the Middle East to Europe.

Impact on Shipping and Countermeasures

The persistent targeting and near misses of Houthi attacks have prompted shipping companies to reroute their vessels from the Red Sea, opting instead for the longer and more costly route around Africa through the Cape of Good Hope. In response to the threats, the US and its allies have established a joint mission where warships provide a protective umbrella of air defense for ships traveling between the Suez Canal and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Recent Attacks and Environmental Concerns

In a recent attack in the Gulf of Aden, the Houthis fired two missiles at a Palau-flagged cargo ship named Islander, resulting in a fire and injuring a sailor on board. Central Command also reported an attack on a Belize-flagged ship on February 18, causing an 18-mile oil slick. The Rubymar, a British-registered, Lebanese-operated cargo vessel, was attacked while sailing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, forcing the crew to abandon the ship. The vessel was carrying over 41,000 tons of fertilizer, raising concerns about a potential environmental disaster due to an oil leak.

Call for Action to Address Oil Slick

Yemen's internationally recognized government has called on other countries and maritime-protection organizations to swiftly address the oil slick and prevent a significant environmental disaster in the Red Sea.