US, British Militaries Launch Massive Retaliatory Strike Against Iranian-Backed Houthis in Yemen

Defense News , U.S & U.K :- In a significant move, the U.S. and British militaries carried out a massive attack on more than a dozen sites linked to the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. The strike, utilizing Tomahawk missiles from warships and submarines, along with fighter jets, targeted various military sites, including air defense and radar locations, as well as storage and launch sites for drones and missiles.

President Joe Biden emphasized that these strikes were a response to the Houthis' relentless attacks on the Red Sea. The decision came after diplomatic efforts and careful consideration, aiming to show that the U.S. and its allies will not tolerate the group's actions.

The attacks, echoing the first U.S. military response to ongoing drone and missile assaults since the Israel-Hamas conflict, followed a warning issued by the White House and its allies to the Houthis. The strikes were coordinated with the UK, and other nations expressed their support for defending lives and protecting commerce in the vital waterway.

Eyewitnesses reported explosions in various Yemeni cities, indicating the impact of the strikes. The Houthis, who had temporarily halted attacks after the warning, fired their largest-ever barrage of drones and missiles on Tuesday, prompting the military response.

President Biden, despite expecting a degradation of Houthi capabilities, acknowledged the possibility of further responses. The coordinated effort involved the U.S. using warplanes and Tomahawk missiles, while the UK Royal Air Force conducted targeted strikes.

The Houthis claim their actions are a response to Israel's conflict with Hamas, but the targets increasingly affect the crucial trade route connecting Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

In the aftermath of the strikes, a Houthi official vowed retaliation, emphasizing a potential escalation. The UN Security Council, in a resolution, called for an immediate end to Houthi attacks and implicitly criticized their weapons supplier, Iran.

The U.S. had previously established a maritime security mission to enhance Red Sea security, reflecting the importance of the region for global trade. The recent attacks, impacting international shipping, prompted the coalition's warning and the creation of a new maritime security mission.

The decision to respond militarily was influenced by escalating attacks on commercial vessels, with concerns about wider conflict and potential disruptions to the fragile truce in Yemen. The coalition aims to protect the strategic shipping lane, vital for global commerce, and deter further attacks.