US and UK Launch Retaliatory Airstrikes on Houthi Targets in Yemen

The U.S. military, along with the United Kingdom and support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, launched retaliatory airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

The action follows months of Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The strikes, involving fighter jets and Tomahawk cruise missiles, were described by U.S. President Joe Biden as a “defensive action” in response to Houthi attacks that threatened freedom of navigation and endangered lives.

The U.S. and U.K. airstrikes targeted the Houthi rebels’ unmanned aerial vehicle, uncrewed surface vessel, land-attack cruise missile, coastal radar, and air surveillance capabilities. The Houthis, backed by Iran, have been using drones and missiles to target ships, raising concerns about the free flow of commerce in critical waterways.

The U.S. maintains its right to self-defense and warns of further measures if Houthi attacks persist. The U.K. has also taken limited, necessary, and proportionate action in self-defense to protect freedom of navigation.

The Houthis have vowed retaliation, continuing their threat to target ships passing through the Red Sea. The situation underscores tensions in the region and the importance of safeguarding vital maritime routes.