In a second wave of assaults targeting Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, the United States and Britain conducted strikes on 36 Houthi targets on Saturday. The objective is to cripple groups that have been attacking American and international interests following the Israel-Hamas war. The strikes, launched by U.S. warships and American and British fighter jets, come in response to a drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan. While the U.S. did not directly target Iran, the strikes aim to find a balance between a forceful response and avoiding escalation.
U.S. Central Command reported an additional strike on Sunday, conducted in self-defense against a Houthi anti-ship cruise missile. The strike aimed to protect U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the Red Sea. The Houthi targets on Saturday, struck by U.S. F/A-18 fighter jets, British Typhoon FGR4 fighter aircraft, and Navy destroyers USS Gravely and USS Carney firing Tomahawk missiles, were spread across 13 locations. The U.S. warned of a sustained response following the deaths of three soldiers in Jordan, emphasizing that it would not be limited to one night, one target, or one group.
The Houthi rebels, despite not being directly implicated in the Jordan attack, continue their almost daily missile or drone attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a Houthi official, affirmed that military operations against Israel would persist until the “crimes of genocide in Gaza are stopped.” The Biden administration hints that these strikes may not be the last, holding Iran responsible for arming and training various militias behind attacks across the Middle East.
The Defense Department stated that the strikes targeted Houthis’ weapons storage facilities, missile systems, air defense systems, and helicopters. The British military also struck a ground control station west of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. President Biden was briefed on the strikes, emphasizing the U.S.’ commitment to defending lives and ensuring the free flow of commerce. The joint operation with British support sends a message to the Houthis regarding the consequences of illegal attacks on international shipping. The strikes aim to underscore that Iran bears responsibility for supporting militias conducting attacks against U.S. and international interests in the region.