The United States and Britain conducted airstrikes against 36 Houthi targets in Yemen as part of a broader initiative against Iran-linked groups, prompted by a recent deadly attack on American troops. This marks the second day of major U.S. operations in Yemen.
The strikes, which took place late on Saturday, targeted buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems, launchers, and other capabilities used by the Houthis to attack Red Sea shipping. The Pentagon specified that 13 locations across Yemen were targeted in these operations.
This development is the latest episode in a conflict that has expanded into the Middle East since October 7, triggered by the Palestinian group Hamas launching an attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip. The conflict involves various armed groups with backing from Tehran.
Residents in Houthi-controlled Sanaa reported that the strikes shook buildings. The Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Sarea, warned of a response and consequences to the U.S. strikes, emphasizing that they will not go unanswered. The group’s media described these strikes as the most violent to date.
The airstrikes in Yemen are concurrent with a broader U.S. retaliation campaign following the killing of three American soldiers in a drone strike by Iran-backed militants in Jordan a week ago. The first wave of this retaliation targeted over 85 locations in Iraq and Syria linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its supported militias.
While concerns about further escalation mount, Iran has refrained from direct involvement in the conflict. Iran’s foreign ministry criticized the U.S. and Britain for the attacks, calling them a flagrant violation of international law and a threatening threat to international peace and security.
Experts suggest that Iran is likely to maintain its current approach, avoiding direct military confrontation and focusing on keeping conflicts beyond its borders. The U.S. strategy on Yemen, under President Biden, aims to weaken the Houthi militants without seeking to defeat them or directly confront Iran.
The Houthi attacks, often justified in solidarity with Palestinians, have led to major shipping lines avoiding Red Sea shipping lanes, increasing costs and raising concerns about global inflation. President Biden’s strategy combines limited military strikes and sanctions to punish the Houthis while attempting to prevent a broader Middle East conflict.
The Houthi spokesperson, Sarea, stated that the group would not be deterred by the attacks and would continue supporting the Palestinian people in Gaza. The U.S. military, supported by several countries, emphasized targeting missile capabilities, drone storage, and operational sites, radars, and helicopters in the recent airstrikes.
Oman expressed grave concerns about the escalating situation in the region, criticizing the effectiveness of retaliatory U.S. attacks in Iraq and Syria for compromising safety, stability, and efforts to tackle challenges like violence and extremism.