Continued US Airstrikes Target Houthis in Yemen After Hitting Almost 30 Locations
The US conducted additional strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, following a coordinated multi-nation attack on nearly 30 positions
According to a US official, the US conducted more strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, the day after carrying out a coordinated multi-national attack on nearly 30 Houthi locations. The official stated that the additional strikes on Friday night were smaller in scope and focused on a radar facility used by the Houthis.
The Joint Staff Director Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims II confirmed that the Houthis launched at least one anti-ship ballistic missile at a commercial vessel on Friday.
The US and UK carried out a joint strike on 28 Houthi sites on Thursday to prevent further attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea. The military action was supported by Canada, Australia, Bahrain, and the Netherlands.
On January 5, 2024, U.S. President Joe Biden addressed a campaign event at Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. Biden's message at his first campaign event for the 2024 election season focused on the importance of democracy and fundamental freedoms, warning that they could be at risk if former President Donald Trump were to return to the White House. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
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Biden says hes sent a message to Iran with Yemen strikes, calls Houthis a terrorist organization
The United States conducted the most recent strike on its own, as stated by the official. In response to ongoing drone and missile attacks by the Houthis on commercial ships in the Red Sea, the US had previously warned of potential further military action.
"President Joe Biden promised to take action against the Houthis and their allies if they persist in their unacceptable conduct," he stated during his visit to Pennsylvania on Friday.
Following the airstrikes led by the US, the Iran-supported rebel faction targeted a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Aden, located in the southern region of Yemen, with yet another anti-ship ballistic missile.
It was unclear if the new US strikes were a response to the anti-ship ballistic missile launch or part of the ongoing attacks, as the US needed to assess the damage and identify remaining targets. The White House had previously stated that they were attempting to prevent further escalation.
"Everything we are doing, everything we are trying to do is aimed at preventing any further escalation," said John Kirby, strategic communications coordinator for the National Security Council, in an interview with CNN on Friday.
The series of US-led strikes on Thursday evening was aimed at radar facilities, command and control nodes, as well as facilities used for the storage and launch of drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. These are the primary weapons used by the Houthis to target commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The attacks resulted in the deaths of five people and wounded six more, according to a spokesman for the Houthi military.
The Houthis had vowed their forces would respond to Thursdays attack, calling US and UK assets "legitimate targets."
This story has been updated with additional details.
