US launches airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/22/us-launches-airstrikes-against-houthi-targets-in-yemen

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Military says the strikes aim to ‘disrupt and degrade’ Houthi operations such as attacks against US navy warships and merchant vessels

The US military said it conducted precision airstrikes on Saturday against a missile storage facility and a command-and-control facility operated by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen’s capital, Sana’a.

In a statement, the US military’s Central Command said the strikes aimed to “disrupt and degrade Houthi operations, such as attacks against US navy warships and merchant vessels in the southern Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb and Gulf of Aden”.

The US military also said it struck multiple Houthi one-way drones and an anti-ship cruise missile over the Red Sea and the strike reflected its “ongoing commitment to protect US and coalition personnel, regional partners and international shipping”.

Saturday’s strike followed a similar attack last week by US aircraft against a command and control facility operated by the Houthis, who control much of Yemen.

On Thursday, Israel launched strikes against ports and energy infrastructure in Houthi-held parts of Yemen and threatened more attacks against the group, which has launched hundreds of missiles at Israel over the past year.

The Iran-backed group in Yemen has been attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea for more than a year to try to enforce a naval blockade on Israel, saying they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Israel’s year-long war in Gaza.

The strikes on shipping by the Houthis, who have also launched missiles at Israel, have prompted retaliatory strikes by the US and Britain.

The US attack on Sana’a came the same day that a Houthi missile struck Israel’s commercial hub Tel Aviv, wounding 16 people in the second such strike in days.

The US is seeking global support to give the UN clearer powers to interdict ships in the Red Sea heading for Houthi-controlled Yemen ports, as part of a concerted attempt to weaken the Iranian-backed group, according to the US special envoy.

It is also considering re-designating the Houthis as a terrorist group, a move that would make it more difficult for humanitarian organisations to operate inside Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen.