The White House announced that the United States and Britain carried out retaliatory strikes against Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Washington, D.C., on Thursday evening, following a series of attacks on commercial ships.
The Houthis have launched at least 27 drone and missile attacks on commercial ships sailing near the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, and the U.S. military has also launched Said The operation, the group said Thursday, is in opposition to Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. U.S. and British military installations, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands, attacked “numerous targets” in Yemen early Friday, Sana'a time, according to the White House. SaidIt is the first time the United States has carried out a deliberate attack on a target linked to the Houthis since they began attacking international shipping in late 2023.
“These attacks are a direct response to the unprecedented Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea, including the first-ever use of anti-ship ballistic missiles,” President Joe Biden said in a statement. Ta. (Related article: 'Nothing has changed': Pentagon plan to stop Red Sea attack is not working, experts say)
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was preparing to authorize an attack on the Houthis after meeting with the National Security Council and briefing parliament. according to To the Financial Times. U.S. officials said the Pentagon had already drawn up potential targets.
The attack included firing Tomahawk missiles from fighter jets, ships and submarines, CNN reported, citing U.S. and British officials.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in a statement that the coalition is targeting Houthi drones, ballistic and cruise missiles, coastal radars and air surveillance capabilities.
“If necessary, we will take additional actions to protect our military,” Austin said.
The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. officials said the Houthi forces had taken steps to surround their forces and hide sensitive assets in preparation for an attack. report
Earlier on Thursday, Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi threatened to retaliate if attacked by the United States, according to the BBC. report.
“Any American attack will not go unresponsive. That response will be greater than the attack carried out with 20 drones and numerous missiles,” he said in a televised speech, saying the group had announced in October local time Wednesday's attack was the largest since it began targeting commercial ships.
Britain operates destroyers in the Red Sea and is part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a US-led coalition aimed at deterring attacks and ensuring the safety of ships for international shipping.
The Pentagon had previously declined to comment on plans to attack the Houthis, which were rumored earlier Thursday.
📸: Crew of guided missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) participates in vertical resupply @aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa On January 8th, while supporting “Operation Prosperity Guardian” in the Red Sea. @CMF_BahrainCTF 153, #OPG More than 20 countries are participating. pic.twitter.com/m9AMaLsoWF
— U.S. Navy Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet (@US5thFleet) January 11, 2024
Following Wednesday's missile and drone barrage, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reiterated its January 3 statement. caveat The U.S. and partners responded as the Houthis launched further attacks.Expert Said The repeated threats showed that the Pentagon was rapidly losing patience with the Houthis' insistence on continued attacks.
“I think the statements from multiple countries about the fact that there will be consequences if the attacks don't stop say it all. Let's leave it at that,” Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said at a Thursday afternoon news conference. Told.
Major shipping companies continue to avoid the Red Sea route.Houthis on the weekend Appeared It will target a U.S. missile destroyer operating in the region as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian.
U.S. military assets in the Red Sea include 130 aircraft assigned to the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, carrying about 4,000 sailors and Marines, according to White House national security spokesman John Kirby includes aircraft and warships Said At a press conference on January 3rd.
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