Sun, 16 February 2025
The Daily Ittefaq

US, UK airstrikes target Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen

Update : 12 Jan 2024, 10:46

The United States and Britain on Friday began carrying out strikes against sites used by the Houthi rebel group in Yemen.

US officials said targets included logistical hubs, air defense systems and weapons storage locations. US media reported that the strikes involved fighter jets and Tomahawk missiles.

The Houthis are backed by Iran and control large swathes of western Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa.

Biden hails 'united' response to 'reckless' Houthi attacks

US President Joe Biden said the strikes represented a "united and resolute" response to Houthi attacks on international ships and that the US would "not hesitate to direct further measures" against the militant group.

"The response of the international community to these reckless attacks has been united and resolute," he said in a statement released by the White House. 

Biden said the US and UK strikes were carried out with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands.

"These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most critical commercial routes," he said.

In a separate statement, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also confirmed the strikes, saying the UK took "limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defense" in order to "degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping."

"Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea," he said.

More on this topic

More on this topic