In a significant escalation of military action, US and British military forces conducted airstrikes targeting over a dozen Houthi sites in Yemen on Saturday. This latest operation is part of ongoing efforts to counter the Iran-backed Houthi militia, which has been implicated in attacks on shipping in the region. The airstrikes come in response to the Houthis’ continued aggression, which has disrupted global trade and raised shipping rates in the strategically vital waterways.
According to reports from Reuters, the United States has been consistently carrying out airstrikes against the Houthis, who hold sway over Yemen’s most densely populated areas. The group has justified its attacks on shipping by claiming solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel’s actions in Gaza. However, these strikes have so far failed to halt the Houthis’ attacks, prompting further military action from the US and its allies.
The joint statement issued by countries involved in the airstrikes, including Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, stated that the military action targeted 18 Houthi sites across eight locations in Yemen. The targets included underground weapons and missile storage facilities, air defense systems, radars, and a helicopter. The goal of the strikes, according to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, was “to further disrupt and degrade the capabilities of the Iranian-backed Houthi militia.”
Austin emphasized that the strikes were intended to send a clear message to the Houthis that they would face consequences if they continued their illegal attacks. These attacks not only harm Middle Eastern economies but also cause environmental damage and disrupt the delivery of humanitarian aid to Yemen and other countries. The international coalition’s actions aim to protect commercial shipping and ensure the safety of maritime traffic in the region.
However, the Houthis have condemned the airstrikes, labeling them as a “miserable attempt” to prevent Yemen from providing support operations to the Palestinian people in Gaza. Al Masirah TV, the primary television news channel affiliated with the Houthi movement, reported that a series of strikes were conducted in the capital city of Sanaa by US and UK forces. The renewed raids have intensified tensions in the region, with the Houthis vowing to retaliate against what they perceive as foreign aggression.
The recent escalation in military activity comes after the Houthis claimed responsibility for attacking a cargo ship owned by the UK and launching a drone strike on a US destroyer. Additionally, they targeted Israel’s port and resort city of Eilat with ballistic missiles and drones. These actions have caused disruptions to the crucial Suez Canal route, which handles approximately 12% of global maritime traffic, forcing ships to take longer and more costly routes around the African continent.
While no ships have been sunk, and no crew members have lost their lives during the Houthi campaign on those sites, concerns remain regarding the environmental impact of the attacks. The UK-registered Rubymar cargo vessel, targeted on February 18, was carrying over 41,000 tons of fertilizer when it was struck. There are fears that the cargo could spill into the Red Sea, leading to an environmental catastrophe.
In response to the escalating crisis, the European Union has launched a naval mission to the Red Sea to restore and safeguard freedom of navigation. Additionally, the United States has initiated Operation Prosperity Guardian, aimed at safeguarding commercial traffic from attacks by the Houthis. As tensions continue to escalate in the region, the international community faces the challenge of balancing security concerns with the need to protect vital maritime trade routes.
