In response to more than two dozen Houthi drone and missile attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, the United States, along with five allies, conducted military strikes against over a dozen targets in Yemen controlled by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia.
The airstrikes targeted Houthi-associated sites, including airports, military bases, and weapon storage areas. President Biden emphasized that these strikes send a clear message that the U.S. and its partners will not tolerate attacks on personnel or threats to freedom of navigation.
The Houthis, who have defied warnings and vowed to continue their attacks, claim their actions are a protest against Israel's military campaign in Gaza. The strikes drew the U.S. deeper into the conflict, prompting concerns from some allies in the Middle East about potential escalation. The international community, including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada, and Bahrain, joined the effort, providing support for the operation.
The Houthi foreign ministry warned of serious consequences for the U.S. and U.K., and it remains uncertain whether the strikes will deter further Houthi attacks.
The decision to strike back at the Houthis came after three months of hesitation, with fears of potential escalation and disruption of the truce in Yemen.
The conflict, which originated in 2014, has caused significant human suffering, with hundreds of thousands of casualties and disruptions to shipping in the Red Sea
