US, Britain Strike Back Against Iran-Linked Houthis in Yemen – Reuters

By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali

WASHINGTON – The United States and the United Kingdom conducted strikes against 36 Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday, marking the second day of significant military operations in response to Iran-linked groups following a deadly attack on American troops the previous weekend.

The strikes targeted weapons storage facilities, missile systems, launchers, and other military capabilities used by the Houthis to launch attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, according to statements from the Pentagon, which indicated that operations were conducted at 13 locations throughout Yemen.

This development is part of a broader escalation of conflict in the Middle East, fueled by the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas that began after a deadly assault by Hamas on October 7.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized that this collective action sends a clear signal to the Houthis regarding the consequences they face if they persist in their illegal attacks on international shipping and naval vessels.

In response, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea warned that the U.S. strikes "will not pass without a response and consequences."

These strikes in Yemen coincide with a wider U.S. military retaliation campaign following the killing of three American soldiers in a drone strike by Iran-backed militants at an outpost in Jordan. The day prior, the U.S. had executed its first wave of retaliation by targeting more than 85 locations linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and allied militias in Iraq and Syria, reportedly resulting in nearly 40 fatalities.

The U.S. government has accused Iran-backed militias of conducting attacks against American forces stationed in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan, while the Houthis have consistently targeted commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea. The Houthis assert that their actions are acts of solidarity with Palestinians during Israel’s military operations in Gaza. However, U.S. officials and allies describe these attacks as reckless and threatening to global trade.

The rising violence in the Red Sea has led major shipping lines to largely circumvent this critical trade route, opting instead for longer routes around Africa. This shift has escalated shipping costs and raised concerns about global inflation, while also depriving Egypt of vital foreign revenue from vessels transiting the Suez Canal.

The Biden administration’s emerging strategy in Yemen appears aimed at degrading Houthi capabilities without directly defeating the group or launching attacks on Iran, its primary supporter. This approach consists of limited military strikes and economic sanctions, intended to penalize the Houthis while minimizing the risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East.

Despite conducting over a dozen strikes against Houthi targets in recent weeks, the U.S. has yet to halt the group’s ongoing attacks. Sarea hinted on social media that the Houthis would persist in their operations in the Red Sea in support of the Palestinian cause.

Just hours before the latest major strikes, U.S. Central Command detailed additional limited strikes that targeted six cruise missiles the Houthis were preparing to launch against vessels in the Red Sea, along with an anti-ship cruise missile poised for launch.

British Defence Minister Grant Shapps stated, "This is not an escalation," asserting that the strikes had successfully targeted Houthi launchers and storage facilities, further degrading their military capabilities.

The United States reported that its latest operations received support from several countries, including Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. The strikes focused not only on missile capabilities but also on drone storage and operations, radar systems, and helicopters.

While targeting Iran-associated groups, the Pentagon has reiterated its desire to avoid war with Iran and expressed doubt that Tehran is seeking conflict. U.S. Republicans are intensifying pressure on President Biden to take more direct action against Iran.

It remains uncertain how Iran will react to these strikes, which do not directly target the nation but aim to limit the effectiveness of its allied groups. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson criticized the airstrikes in Iraq and Syria as a reckless move by the U.S. that would only serve to increase tension and instability.

Following the strikes in Iraq, the U.S. charge d’affaires in Baghdad was summoned to receive a formal protest from the Iraqi government.

Furthermore, the Houthi military claimed that the U.S. and U.K. executed a total of 48 airstrikes on Yemen, with 13 occurring in and around the capital, as well as additional strikes targeting Taiz and Hodeidah Governorates.