The UK & US, on January 11, launched military strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. The attacks in Yemen aimed to deter repeated attacks on ships passing through the Red Sea by the Houthis
The UK & US strikes occurred via Missiles and fighter jets, hitting numerous sites in Yemen. The strike occurred a day after the UK & the US repelled 21 drones & missiles launched by the Houthis. The UK & UK repelled those attacks and then moved to strike back on January 11.
The strike are the first such actions by the UK & US military in the Red Sea since the Houthi drone & missile attacks on shipping began in November.
The Houthis have been targeting merchant vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden with missiles and drones.
The group claims to be targeting ships linked to Israel – saying the attacks are in response to the Israel-Hamas war. Thus, the Houthis want to halt Israeli ships passing through the Bab al-Mandeb strait to pressure them to stop their Gaza incursion following the October 7 attack. As a result, the Houthis have fired 116 missiles and drones at ships in the Southern Red Sea.
Which Targets Were Hit in the Strike
The UK & the UK targeted over 60 targets at different locations. They include Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, the Houthi Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Dhamar, Saada, and Hudaydah.
Targets included radar systems, drone storage and launch sites, missile storage and launch facilities and Houthi command and control nodes.
Also, the UK strikes occurred in Bani in the north-west, a drone operational site. In addition, it hit Abbs’ airfield, used as a launching site for missiles and drones.
However, According to the Houthis. There were 72 strikes in all.
Over Four RAF Typhoon jets flying from Akrotiri in Cyprus conducted air strikes on two Houthi targets in Yemen using Paveway bombs.
What Weapons did the UK & US Use in Strikes in Yemen
Most of the firepower came from US fighter jets from aircraft carriers in the Red Sea and regional air bases.
In addition, the US Navy warships fired Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles.
Meanwhile, the UK sent four RAF Typhoons from Cyprus, carrying Paveway IV guided bombs.
Global Reaction to the UK & US Strikes In Yemen
Yemen: Called attacks “barbaric” and threatened that “all US, UK interests have become ‘legitimate targets.” Also, they vowed to continue targeting ships in the Red Sea. Tens of thousands of Yemenis gathered in several cities to protest the attack.
Iran: The country’s spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, said: “These attacks are a clear violation of Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and a breach of international laws.”
Saudi Arabia: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for restraint and “avoiding escalation”. In addition, they stated the need to maintain the security and stability of the Red Sea region as the freedom of navigation.
Turkey: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the strikes. Also, he stated that the US and UK are “trying to turn the Red Sea into a sea of blood”.
Egypt: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed “deep concern” over the escalation of military operations in the Red Sea and air strikes in Yemen.
United Nations: Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on all sides “not to escalate” the volatile situation in the Red Sea.
NATO: These strikes were defensive and designed to preserve freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most vital waterways.
Hamas Stated the US and UK governments will bear responsibility for their attacks’ impacts on the security of the region.
Russia: The strikes violate international law.
France: Reaffirmed its condemnation of Houthi strikes on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, calling for an immediate stop to them.
Germany: The Federal Foreign Office said, “Our aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea.
Netherlands: Prime Minister Mark Rutte said, “The US-British action is based on the right of self-defense.
UAE: Expressed grave concern over the consequences of attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.
How is the UK Prime Minister Sunak Justifying the Strikes in Yemen
The UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak added that the action was “necessary and proportionate” to protect global shipping.
Despite repeated warnings from the UK and the United States, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea. Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have increased by 500% between November and December 2023.
According to the International Chamber of Shipping, Some 17,000 ships and 10-12% of global trade pass through it annually.
The threat has become so great that major shipping companies have ceased sailing in the region. Instead, they have rerouted their vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, increasing costs and affecting the global economy.
Express news UK, yahoo UK news, UK politics, sun news UK, msn UK news, the financial times UK, recent news UK, UK current news, breaking BBC news UK.
BBC News, CNN UK, Current affairs in UK, current political issues UK, daily mail online UK, daily papers in UK, Daily star newspaper UK, Daily sun UK news, Daily mail online UK, evening standard
news UK, & express news UK online.
Google BBC news UK, Google news UK, Independent UK politics, sky news UK, sun news UK newspaper, BBC news UK, Yahoo news UK.