The U.S. and British militaries were bombing more than a dozen sites used by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen on Thursday, in a massive retaliatory strike using warship-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets, several U.S. officials told The Associated Press. The military targets included logistical hubs, air defense systems and weapons storage locations, they said.
Quick Read
- U.S. and British Military Action: They were bombing over a dozen sites used by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen using warship-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets.
- Target Description: The military targets included logistical hubs, air defense systems, and weapons storage locations.
- First U.S. Military Response: This action marked the first U.S. military response against the Houthis for their drone and missile attacks on commercial ships since the start of the war in Israel.
- Warning from White House and Partners: The assault followed a final warning issued by the White House and partner nations to the Houthis to stop their attacks.
- Temporary Cessation of Attacks: The warning initially led to a brief halt in attacks for several days.
- Renewed Houthi Attacks: Houthi rebels resumed attacks, firing their largest-ever barrage of drones and missiles at shipping in the Red Sea.
- Defensive Response: U.S. and British ships, along with American fighter jets, responded by shooting down 18 drones, two cruise missiles, and an anti-ship missile.
- Recent Houthi Missile Launch: On Thursday, Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile into the Gulf of Aden, which was observed but did not hit a commercial ship.
- Houthi Rebel Statement: The rebels warned of a fierce military response to any American attacks on their sites in Yemen.
- Frequency of Attacks: The Houthis have carried out 27 attacks involving dozens of drones and missiles since November 19.
The Associated Press has the story:
US, British militaries launch massive retaliatory strike against Houthis in Yemen
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP) —
The U.S. and British militaries were bombing more than a dozen sites used by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen on Thursday, in a massive retaliatory strike using warship-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets, several U.S. officials told The Associated Press. The military targets included logistical hubs, air defense systems and weapons storage locations, they said.
The strikes marked the first U.S. military response against the Houthis for what has been a persistent campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships since the start of the war in Israel. And the coordinated military assault comes just a week after the White House and a host of partner nations issued a final warning to the Houthis to cease the attacks or face potential military action. The officials confirmed the strikes on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations.
The warning appeared to have had at least some short-lived impact, as attacks stopped for several days. On Tuesday, however, the Houthi rebels fired their largest-ever barrage of drones and missiles targeting shipping in the Red Sea, with U.S. and British ships and American fighter jets responding by shooting down 18 drones, two cruise missiles and an anti-ship missile. And on Thursday, the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile into the Gulf of Aden, which was seen by a commercial ship but did not hit the ship.
The rebels, who have carried out 27 attacks involving dozens of drones and missiles just since Nov. 19, said Thursday that any attack by American forces on its sites in Yemen will spark a fierce military response.
