The United States and Britain carried out more than a dozen airstrikes on Iranian-backed Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands and New Zealand, two U.S. officials said. told FOX News.
Targets that were successfully attacked included weapons storage facilities, drones and missile launchers.
The operation hits five Houthi-held areas in Yemen and is a response to near-daily attacks by the group using Iranian drones and anti-ship ballistic missiles, a senior US official said.
The fourth attack by the US and UK came days after a British cargo ship was attacked by Houthi missiles.
“In response to continued Houthi attacks on merchant and naval vessels transiting the Red Sea and surrounding waterways, the U.S. and U.K. militaries today joined forces with Australia, Bahrain, Canada and , with support from Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, carried out additional attacks against several targets in Houthi-held areas of Yemen.
Houthi Rebels attack destroys Belizean-flagged ship in key strait leading to the Red Sea
U.S. Central Command announced Saturday that the aircraft carrier USS Mason shot down an anti-ship ballistic missile fired into the Gulf of Aden. (U.S. Central Command / @CENTCOM on X)
The statement said the airstrikes were “proportionate” and added that they “specifically targeted 18 Houthi targets in eight locations in Yemen.” Houthi underground weapons storage facilities, missile storage facilities, one-way attack unmanned aerial systems, air defense systems, radars, and helicopters. These precision strikes are aimed at disrupting and reducing the capabilities the Houthis are using to threaten global trade, warships, and the lives of innocent sailors in one of the world’s most important waterways. ”
The statement continued: “These attacks, including the February 22 missile attack that hit the British-owned M “This is in response to continued attacks on ships,” he added. V Islanders injured a crew member, a Feb. 19 missile attack that nearly hit the U.S.-owned M/V Sea Champion while delivering humanitarian aid to Yemen; A Feb. 19 drone attack on the M/V Navis Fortuna and a Feb. 18 missile attack on the British-owned M/V Rubimar forced the crew to abandon ship. . ”
Pentagon refutes notion that US strikes are deterring Houthi attacks
The report said the Houthis have launched more than 45 attacks on commercial and naval vessels since mid-November, “posing a threat to the global economy and regional security and stability, and requiring an international response.” “The coalition of like-minded countries will continue.” We are committed to protecting freedom of navigation and international commerce and holding the Houthis accountable for their illegal and unjustified attacks on commercial and military vessels. ”
While countries said their aim was to “de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea,” we reiterate our warning to the Houthi leadership. We will not hesitate to continue to protect human life and the free flow of commerce head on. It’s a constant threat. ”
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea. (Fox News)
Two U.S. defense officials said the attack was carried out by an F-18 from the aircraft carrier Eisenhower.
The existence of casualties is currently under investigation. Two U.S. defense officials said they expected very low numbers, if any at all.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also issued a statement saying, “Today, U.S. and British forces, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, conducted strikes against military targets in India.” Ta. The coalition forces in Yemen’s Houthi-held areas have targeted eight locations, including Houthi underground weapons storage facilities, missile storage facilities, unmanned aerial systems for unidirectional strikes, air defense systems, radars, and helicopters, to further disrupt and degrade their capabilities. targeted. Iranian-backed Houthi militias have carried out erratic and reckless attacks on U.S. and international shipping legally transiting the Red Sea, the Bab-AI-Mandeb Straits, and the Gulf of Aden. ”
US coalition forces destroy six Houthi attack drones
“The United States will not hesitate to take action as necessary to protect lives and free commerce in one of the world’s most important waterways. We will continue to make it clear that they will bear the consequences if they do.” They continue to carry out illegal attacks, damaging Middle Eastern economies, causing environmental damage, and disrupting the delivery of humanitarian aid to Yemen and other countries. ”
“At 5:00 p.m. (Sanaa time) on February 24, a Mason (DDG 87) intercepted an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) fired into the Gulf of Aden by the Iranian-backed Houthis,” U.S. Central Command said in a statement. I shot it down,” he said. “Controlled area in Yemen. The missile likely targeted the MV Torm Tor, a chemical oil tanker owned and operated under the U.S. flag. Neither the USS Mason nor the MV Torm Tor were damaged, and no one was injured. Ta.”
Earlier this month, a missile was fired from a warship during a US-led coalition operation against Yemen’s Houthi rebels. (U.S. Central Command)
The airstrike came days after a British cargo ship was attacked by Houthi missiles, with an 18-mile oil slick seen from space, leaving the ship flooded and at risk of sinking. Centcom is currently calling it an “environmental disaster.” . The ship carries more than 40,000 tons of fertilizer.
Earlier this week, a U.S.-owned cargo ship also came under missile attack.
The U.S. and British forces launched the first round of attacks on January 11, but attacks on commercial ships at sea continue.
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The British military uses Tornado attack fighters launched from the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. US military jets emerge from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. A US warship also fired Tomahawk cruise missiles at targets in Yemen.
British warships in the Red Sea have no ability to attack Yemen. Royal Navy destroyers and frigates cannot fire missiles at land targets.
British and French warships have been destroying drones in the air in recent weeks.
