US and UK Strikes Rattle Houthi Strongholds in Yemen, President Biden Warns of Further Action

US Attacks Houthi Rebels: The first attacks on Yemen since the Iran-backed militia began attacking foreign shipping in the Red Sea late last year were carried out by the United States and Britain against locations associated with the Houthi movement. President Joe Biden warned in a statement late on Thursday that he would not hesitate to take additional action if necessary, as witnesses in Yemen reported explosions throughout the nation to Reuters.

Clear Warning from Biden

"These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation," Biden said. A statement from the British Ministry of Defence stated that "early indications are that the Houthis' ability to threaten merchant shipping has taken a blow."

"Raids" in the capital Sanaa, the cities of Saada and Dhamar, as well as the Hodeidah governorate, were verified by a Houthi spokesman, who referred to them as "American-Zionist-British aggression."

Israel-Hamas Strife Ripples Through the Middle East

One of the most striking examples of how the Israel-Hamas conflict has spread throughout the Middle East since it broke out in October is the current round of strikes. Speaking under anonymity, a U.S. official claimed that aircraft, ships, and submarines were using these weapons to carry out the strikes. According to the official, at than a dozen locations were struck, and the strikes were not merely symbolic but meant to impair the Houthi military.

Majority Rulers in Yemen Disregard UN Pleas and US Threats

The Houthis, who rule over the majority of Yemen, disregarded pleas from the United Nations and other international organisations to stop their drone and missile strikes on Red Sea maritime lanes, as well as threats from the US government to retaliate if they didn't.

The Houthis claim that they are supporting Hamas, the Islamist Palestinian organisation in charge of Gaza, with their attacks. Following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people, Israel launched a military offensive in Gaza that has killed over 23,000 Palestinians.

Houthi Assault Targets Bases Across Yemen

As of right now, the Houthi have assaulted 27 ships, halting global trade on the vital corridor that connects Europe and Asia and accounts for 15% of all commercial activity worldwide. According to witnesses who spoke with Reuters, the raids on Thursday went after military installations in the Hajjah governorate, a military base next to Sanaa airport, a military site close to Taiz airport, and a Houthi navy base in Hodeidah. The leader of the Houthis stated earlier on Thursday that the organisation would retaliate against any American attack.

Houthis Warn of Striking Ships Heading to Israeli Ports

After taking over most of Yemen in a civil war, the Houthis have threatened to strike any ships that are associated with or headed towards Israeli ports. Many of the ships that were attacked, nevertheless, had no connection to Israel.

Red Sea Offensive

The Houthis launched an anti-ship ballistic missile into international maritime channels in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday, according to the U.S. Navy. This is the group's 27th attack since November 19. The Houthis launched their biggest offensive to yet on January 9 in the Red Sea, forcing the U.S. and British naval forces to shoot down 21 Houthi drones and missiles aimed towards the southern Red Sea. The strikes that occurred overnight in Yemen occurred just a few days later. It was characterised as a complex attack by the US military.

Biden Confirms Houthi Focus on American Ships

According to Biden's remarks, American ships were specifically targeted by the Houthis. More than 20 nations decided to take part in Operation Prosperity Guardian, an alliance led by the United States that protects trade in the Red Sea. Still, the American and British strikes are happening outside that defence alliance.

International Resilience

According to Biden, the operation was backed by Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands. "The response of the international community to these reckless attacks has been united and resolute," Biden said in a statement.

Keep watching our YouTube Channel ‘DNP INDIA’. Also, please subscribe and follow us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and TWITTER