US and allies crack down on Iran-backed Houthis: Nighttime airstrikes hit 60 targets in Yemen
Overnight, the United States Air Force and its allies initiated an offensive against Houthi movement targets, thought to be under Iran's support, in Yemen. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) disclosed on Friday that the airstrikes targeted more than 60 locations in 16 different areas. Command and control centers, ammunition warehouses, launchers, weapon production factories, and air defense radars were included in these targets.
10:18 AM EST, January 12, 2024
In a military statement, the US asserted its commitment to backing its key partners in the Middle East in thwarting armed groups that receive Iran's support.
Airstrikes on Houthis
As per the BBC, coalition forces struck locations from which the Houthis had previously launched drones and missile attacks. These points were situated in, among other places, Yemen's capital, Sanaa, and the port city of Al Hudaydah. Meanwhile, according to CNN reports, the Houthis asserted that the airstrikes targeted, among others, Al-Dailami Air Base north of the capital, areas around Al Hudaydah International Airport in western Yemen, Kahlan camp in the north, Taiz International Airport, and the airport in Abbs city in northwestern Yemen.
Joe Biden disclosed that Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands assisted with the American-British airstrikes. Biden highlighted that the attacks on the Houthi targets were a direct retaliation to their unparalleled attacks on international navigation. British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, in his statement after the attack, emphasized that London will continually defend the freedom of navigation and unrestricted flow of trade.
Unwavering Houthis
The BBC reported, however, that the Houthis remain unyielding, before and after the airstrikes. The broadcaster reminded that the Iran-backed group has been subjected to Saudi Arabian airstrikes for years, but this hasn't deterred the Shiite rebel group's course of action.
The Houthis, thought to be backed by Iran, are one of the parties in the continuing civil war in Yemen and control the northwestern part of the country. Since November 19, they have been attacking ships navigating the Red Sea, claiming it as their support for Hamas, which is in conflict with Israel. They assert that their attacks include ships associated with Israel, but many of the impacted vessels had no ties to this country. In December of last year, the USA and its allies launched an international operation, named "Prosperity Guardian," aimed at securing safe navigation in the region.
