A coalition of global forces has launched a series of strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, in response to the Iran-backed militant group’s repeated drone and missile attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. This marks the first known strike against the Houthis in Yemen. The coordinated action comes as the US seeks to avoid escalating tensions in the region as the Israel-Hamas war continues.
President Joe Biden authorised the “successful” strikes, stating in a White House statement that they were ordered “in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea,” adding that he will “not hesitate” to order further measures to protect both people and commerce. Over 60 Houthi assets were targeted at 16 locations across Yemen.
These included command and control nodes, munitions, depots, production facilities, launching systems and air defence radar systems. A US official told CNN that more than a dozen Houthi targets were hit by missiles fired from air, surface and sub platforms. The strikes were chosen for their ability to degrade the Houthis’ continued attacks on vessels in the Red Sea.
The coalition consisted of military forces from the US, UK, Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands, reflecting the scale of growing international concern over the threat to one of the world’s most important waterways. Until now, the risk of escalation in an already rife region had prompted the US to avoid direct strikes on Yemen. However, with these latest attacks on naval commerce, the coalition was compelled to take decisive action.
The wider Middle East has reached a critical crossroads, with multiple conflicts, insurgencies and proxy wars raging concurrently. The strikes reflect the increasing global alarm over the immediate threat to civilian lives, shipping security and a significant economic artery in the Red Sea. The US has already carried out strikes against Iranian proxies in Iraq and Syria, while Houthi attacks on Saudi oil installations have been a feature of the Yemen conflict for five years.