The United States and Britain on Saturday carried out strikes against 18 Houthi targets in Yemen, including underground weapons and missile storage facilities, in the latest round of military action against Iranian-linked groups that continue to attack ships in the region.
Officials said the airstrikes targeted eight Houthi targets and included air defense systems, radars and helicopters.
The UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) said: “Four 44 Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR aircraft, supported by two Voyager tankers, carried out a missile and drone attack on Houthi military facilities in Yemen on Saturday 24 February. “We have once again participated in a deliberate coalition attack.” Merchant ships and coalition navies in Bab al-Mandab, southern Red Sea, Gulf of Aden. Royal Air Force aircraft were assigned multiple targets at two locations.
“Intelligence analysis successfully identified multiple very long-range drones used by the Houthis for both reconnaissance and attack missions at the site of a former surface-to-air missile battery several miles northeast of Sanaa.
“Our aircraft used Paveway IV precision-guided bombs against the drone and its launcher, even though the Houthis used an old missile embankment to protect the drone.”
The Ministry of Defense said that an “additional building” in Bani, northwestern Yemen, that had been previously targeted “was subsequently confirmed to be involved in drone and missile activity there, and was therefore considered a target for this latest attack.” “It became,” he added.
The statement said the US and UK, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands and New Zealand, carried out “necessary and appropriate” precision strikes aimed at “disrupting the Houthis’ capabilities. The aim is to increase and reduce the It is used to threaten global trade, warships, and the lives of innocent sailors on one of the world’s most important waterways. ”
“While our goal remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, we once again warn the Houthi leadership that we will protect life and the free flow of commerce head-on. I have no hesitation in continuing,” he added. It’s a constant threat. ”
Houthi-run al-Masira television reported “a series of attacks on the capital Sanaa,” while a correspondent for Agence France-Presse said he heard several loud bangs.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Salih took a defiant stance in a statement on social media following the airstrikes, saying the rebels were “defiantly targeting all hostile targets in the Red Sea and Arab Sea. “We will confront the escalation by the United States and the United Kingdom with high-level military operations.” .
British Secretary of Defense Grant Shapps wrote of the X: “It is our duty to protect lives at sea and protect freedom of navigation. That is why the Royal Air Force has launched a fourth wave of precision strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen.
“We acted alongside our allies to further degrade the drones and launchers used in these dangerous Houthi attacks. We would like to thank the brave British personnel who took part for their efforts.”
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said: “We urge the Houthis to stop their illegal attacks that are harming Middle Eastern economies, causing environmental damage, and disrupting the delivery of humanitarian aid. We will continue to make it clear that we will bear the burden.” Aid to Yemen and other countries. ”
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Meanwhile, Britain’s Maritime Trade Services Agency announced that authorities are currently investigating after receiving reports of an incident 70 nautical miles east of the port of Djibouti, in the Horn of Africa.
Rebel military spokesman Yahya Saleh said in a televised address that the Houthis were targeting the MV Torum Toul, a U.S.-flagged oil tanker owned and operated in the Gulf of Aden.
The Iranian-backed Houthis, who control much of northwestern Yemen, have been attacking commercial shipping in the region since November.
They claim the attack is to show support for the Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
with Agence France-Presse
