The United States and Britain struck hard-hit targets in Houthi-held areas of Yemen on Saturday in response to increasingly dangerous attacks by rebel groups on international shipping and naval vessels, a statement said.
The airstrikes were the third major joint operation since the Houthis began attacking international shipping in late November, targeting Houthi storage facilities, missile systems and launchers, air defense systems and radars. according to In a joint statement sent by email from the United States, United Kingdom, and supporting countries. Since the last joint attacks on January 11 and January 22, the Houthis have continued to carry out dangerous missile and drone attacks against shipping in the Red Sea, with the most serious incident to date killing a fuel tanker for several hours. Activities such as arson are being carried out.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in an emailed statement: “These attacks are a direct result of Iranian-backed Houthi militias carrying out reckless and destabilizing attacks against U.S. and international shipping legally transiting the Red Sea. “The aim is to further disrupt and degrade the organization's capabilities.” (Related: US launches retaliatory strikes in Iraq and Syria)
He added: “This collective action sends a clear message to the Houthis that they must cease their illegal attacks on international shipping and naval vessels or continue to suffer further consequences.”
On January 27, the Houthis attacked. Registered in the Marshall Islands, owned by Bermuda Merlin Luanda fuel tanker carrying M/V anti-ship ballistic missile catches fire, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Said In a statement. U.S. and coalition forces responded and fought the fire for several hours after the Marlin Luanda's crew exhausted the ship's firefighting capabilities.
No one was injured in the fire and the tanker was able to continue sailing, but the attack put the lives of the crew at risk, Centcom said in a statement.
Saturday's multinational attack included non-operational support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands and New Zealand, and was carried out in response to this attack and others, the countries said in a statement.
USCENTCOM destroys 6 anti-ship cruise missiles in Yemen
At approximately 7:20 p.m. (Sanaa time) on February 3, U.S. Central Command conducted a self-defense attack against six Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles that were preparing to launch against ships in the Red Sea. U.S. Army… pic.twitter.com/W9BVxiYedU
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 3, 2024
The statement said the airstrikes targeted 13 facilities “related to the Houthis' deeply buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems and launchers, air defense systems, and radars.”
According to the statement, the Houthis have attacked international shipping ships more than 30 times. The countries involved pledged to hold the Houthis accountable for threats to freedom of navigation and international commerce, but added they would seek to “de-escalate tensions.”
Also on Saturday evening, Sana'a time, CENTCOM said it destroyed six Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles that were preparing to launch against ships in the Red Sea. Said In a statement.
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