United States-England Attack Houthi Positions in Yemen by Air and Sea

The missile launch from the United States warship targeted the Houthi group. (Twitter/@CENTCOM)

JAKARTA - The United States and Britain launched air and sea attacks on Houthi military targets in Yemen, actions taken in response to the group's attacks on ships in the Red Sea.

The Iran-backed Houthi group says its attacks on shipping routes in the Red Sea are a form of support for Palestine and Hamas.

United States President Joe Biden warned in a statement on Thursday evening local time that he would not hesitate to take further action if necessary.

"This targeted attack is a clear message, the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile parties to endanger freedom of navigation," said President Biden, reported by Reuters, January 12.

Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement that the strikes targeted Houthi capabilities including drones, ballistic and cruise missiles, coastal radar, and air surveillance.

The attacks were carried out by aircraft, ships and submarines. Another US official said more than a dozen locations were targeted and the attacks were intended to weaken the Houthis' military capabilities, and were not merely symbolic.

“We're aiming for very specific capabilities in very specific locations with precision munitions,” said a US military official.

Meanwhile, the British Ministry of Defense said in a statement, "early indications suggest the Houthis' ability to threaten merchandise shipments has been hit."

Separately, a Houthi official confirmed there were "attacks" in the capital Sanaa as well as the cities of Saada and Dhamar, as well as in Hodeidah province, calling it an "American-Zionist-British aggression."

Witnesses said the attacks targeted a military base adjacent to Sanaa airport, a military site near Taiz airport, a Houthi naval base in Hodeidah, and a military site in Hajjah province.

The US said Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands supported the operation, and sought to present the attack as part of international efforts to restore the free flow of trade on the main route between Europe and Asia that accounts for about 15 percent of the world's total shipping traffic.

In a statement following the attack, Saudi Arabia called for restraint and “avoiding escalation”.

Previously, the Houthi group opposed calls from the UN and the international community to stop missile and drone attacks on Red Sea shipping routes, even though they had been warned of the consequences if they did not.

On Jan. 11 at 2:30 a.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces, in coordination with the United Kingdom, and support from Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and Bahrain conducted joint strikes on Houthi targets to degrade their capability to continue their illegal and… pic.twitter.com/bR8biMolSx

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 12, 2024