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The United States and the United Kingdom have conducted military attacks using planes, ships, and missiles on locations associated with the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The Houthis carried out their biggest attack on Red Sea shipping, following 27 similar assaults since November 19th.
Last week, authorities reported that a total of 21 drones and missiles were launched at both military and civilian ships in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a crucial passage in the southern part of the Red Sea. Thankfully, ships from the United States and United Kingdom were able to successfully intercept and destroy the projectiles.
Following the recent attacks by the US and UK, the Houthis, who are supported by Iran, have declared their intention to increase their attacks on Red Sea targets to include American ships. This was demonstrated when they successfully attacked a cargo vessel owned by the US on Monday night off the coast of Yemen.
According to Nasruldeen Amer, a representative for the Houthis, targeting a ship does not require it to be en route to Israel. Simply being American is enough. He also stated that the United States is at risk of losing its maritime security.
This is the current information we have:
Which locations were targeted in the attacks?
The United States announced that it conducted attacks on over 60 targets located at 28 different Houthi sites. The Pentagon stated that the strikes targeted radar systems, facilities for storing and launching drones and missiles, and command centers belonging to the Houthi rebels. Reports indicate that the attacks took place in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, which is under rebel control, as well as in the Houthi-controlled Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Dhamar, and their stronghold in north-western Saada.
The MoD of Britain stated that it has identified the important locations responsible for the Houthis targeting HMS Diamond and US Navy vessels. They have also agreed to carry out a strategic strike in order to decrease the Houthis’ ability to break international laws in this manner.
Fighter jets carried out accurate attacks on two Houthi facilities. One of the facilities was a site in Bani, located in the north-western region of Yemen, which was used to launch drones for surveillance and attacks. Our aircraft targeted several buildings that were involved in drone operations. The other location that was hit by our aircraft was the airfield in Abbs. Through intelligence, it was discovered that this airfield was used to launch both cruise missiles and drones over the Red Sea. Our aircraft successfully identified and attacked multiple important targets at the airfield.
According to the Houthis, the total number of strikes was over 70.
What is the Houthis’ response?
Following the recent US-UK attacks, the Houthis have persisted in their attacks on ships, claiming that they consider British and American vessels to be legitimate targets in addition to those linked to Israel.
The United States military stated that they successfully defended against a missile strike on a warship during the weekend. The missile, launched by rebel forces, targeted the USS Laboon in the Red Sea. A US fighter jet intercepted and destroyed it near Hodeidah’s coastline.
On Monday, January 15th, the Houthis took responsibility for a missile strike on a cargo ship owned by the US near the southern coast of Yemen. The attack consisted of three missiles, with one hitting the Gibraltar Eagle and starting a fire.
The UKMTO, responsible for monitoring Middle Eastern waters, has released a warning to all ships in the area and advised caution when traveling through the Red Sea.
The attacks have caused well-known shipping companies to redirect their ships away from the Red Sea, choosing a longer route around the southern tip of Africa instead.
QatarEnergy, the world’s second-largest oil company, announced a temporary suspension of shipping through the route on Monday due to seeking security advice.
What were the weapons utilized by the US and UK?
According to the US military, naval vessels from the United States launched Tomahawk missiles designed for land attacks. These missiles are equipped with GPS technology and have the capability to be programmed for evasive flight.
The United States stated that over 100 precision-guided munitions of different varieties were utilized, but did not provide a specific number of missiles fired.
The United Kingdom confirmed that four Royal Air Force Typhoons were dispatched from Cyprus, equipped with Paveway IV guided bombs. However, it has not disclosed the number of bombs that were deployed. Due to the limitations of the two UK Navy warships in the Red Sea, they are unable to launch land attack missiles, thus necessitating the use of aircraft.
Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands provided non-operational support to the UK and US.
Who are the Houthis and what is their reason for attacking in the Red Sea?
The Houthis, a subgroup of Yemen’s Shia Muslim minority known as the Zaidis and supported by Iran, have been engaged in a civil war against Yemen’s government since 2014. The coalition of Arab nations, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, has backed the government in its fight against the Houthis. The group takes its name from its leader, Hussein al-Houthi.
The Houthis are a part of the “axis of resistance” that Tehran refers to as opposing Israel, the US, and the broader West. This axis also includes Hamas and Hezbollah from Lebanon. On October 7th, Hamas launched an attack within Israel that resulted in 1,200 fatalities and 240 hostages. As a response, Israel launched a bombardment of Gaza with the goal of eliminating the group. According to health officials in Gaza, the Israeli military action has caused the deaths of over 23,000 people. The Houthis claim that they are targeting all ships heading towards Israel through the Bab al-Mandab Strait in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The Houthis then started attacking commercial ships without discrimination, prompting a US-led naval coalition to be formed in response at the end of last year.
Since November, the Houthis have initiated multiple assaults, with a reported total of 27 attacks on cargo vessels in the Red Sea.
What is the significance of the Red Sea?
The Red Sea is a significant route for international trade, with approximately 12 to 15 percent of all shipping activity occurring there.
Some shipping companies have had to change the course of their ships, opting for a longer trip around Africa. However, a few oil companies, refineries, and trading firms have chosen to still utilize this route.
Using different paths can lead to delays in the transportation of goods, and the rise in insurance prices for traveling through the Red Sea may result in higher overall expenses.
The cost of insurance significantly increased following the Houthi attacks.
Hapag Lloyd, a German shipping company, announced on Tuesday that it will continue to steer clear of the Suez Canal and instead take the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope due to security concerns. Maersk, a Danish competitor, has also stated that it will avoid the route for the foreseeable future.
So far, sudden rises in energy costs due to the attacks have been brief and the rise in insurance expenses have been controllable. However, specialists have cautioned that if a few ships were to be sunk in a future attack, the situation could deteriorate.
What statements have Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak made regarding the strikes?
President Biden stated that the strikes were a direct retaliation for the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. He emphasized that these attacks have put American personnel, civilian sailors, and our allies in danger, disrupted trade, and posed a threat to freedom of navigation.
Sunak stated that the measures taken were essential and appropriate in safeguarding international shipping.
He stated that despite multiple warnings from the global community, the Houthis have persistently launched attacks in the Red Sea, even targeting UK and US warships as recently as this week. He expressed that this behavior is unacceptable.
Is it possible that the attack will intensify tensions in the region?
A representative from the German foreign ministry commented on the recent attacks by the Houthi group, stating that they are deliberately escalating against international merchant ships. Prior to the airstrikes conducted by the US and UK, British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps expressed concern about the situation in the Red Sea and revealed that the HMS Diamond, a British warship stationed in the region, was specifically targeted in the most recent attack.
The Houthis have promised to persist with their attacks unless Israel stops the conflict in Gaza, and have cautioned that they will strike US naval vessels if the militia group is attacked.
In December, Mohammed al Bukhaiti, a high-ranking member of the Houthi group, stated on X that their military operations will continue regardless of any efforts made by America and the international community. However, the Houthis lack proper naval vessels to effectively block the waterway, and the coalition forces possess adequate defense capabilities to handle any drone or missile threats.
The UK and the US had to consider the potential consequences of maintaining open shipping lanes against the possibility of further conflict in the area. These recent attacks mark the first time since 2016 that the United States has carried out strikes on Yemeni territory, specifically targeting the Iran-backed Houthis.
The government of Saudi Arabia has urged caution and the avoidance of further conflict as they seek to pull out of the ongoing civil war in Yemen. Negotiations for peace, supported by the United Nations, have been in a fragile state. The Saudi Arabian government is concerned about any potential reactions from the United States and other parties that may hinder their efforts for peace.
Source: independent.co.uk
