U.S. and British warplanes, ships, and submarines conducted dozens of airstrikes across Yemen overnight in response to Houthi forces’ months of attacks on Red Sea shipping. These attacks, attributed to the Iran-backed fighters, were portrayed as a response to the conflict in Gaza.
Witnesses reported explosions at military bases near airports in the capital, Sanaa, and Yemen’s third city, Taiz, a naval base at Yemen’s main Red Sea port, Hodeidah, and military sites in the coastal Hajjah governorate. U.S. President Joe Biden stated, “These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation.”
White House spokesperson John Kirby mentioned that the strikes aimed at the Houthi’s capability to store, launch, and guide missiles or drones, and their impact is currently being assessed. Kirby emphasized, “We’re not interested in … a war with Yemen.”
The Houthis, who have controlled most of Yemen for nearly a decade, reported five fighters killed in a total of 73 airstrikes. They vowed to retaliate and continue their attacks on shipping, citing support for Palestinians against Israel.
In Yemen, crowds gathered in cities, and drone footage on the Houthis’ al-Masirah TV showed hundreds of thousands of people in Sanaa chanting slogans denouncing Israel and the United States.
“The United States is the Devil,” said Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of the Houthi Supreme Political Council. U.S. military sources stated that 60 targets had been hit using more than 100 precision-guided munitions.
In a country emerging from nearly a decade of war, people fearing an extended conflict queued at gas stations. “There is a lot of worry that the fuel shortages will repeat themselves, and food supplies will be scarce,” said Ali Ahmad, 52.
The price of Brent crude oil rose on concerns of supply disruptions, with commercial ship tracking data showing oil tankers altering course in the Red Sea.
The strikes follow months of Houthi raids, boarding ships they claimed were Israeli or heading for Israel. The U.S. and some allies sent a naval task force in December, escalating tensions. The U.S. helicopters sank three Houthi boats on New Year’s Eve. On Tuesday, the United States and Britain intercepted 21 missiles and drones.
Not all major U.S. allies supported the strikes. The Netherlands, Australia, Canada, and Bahrain provided logistical and intelligence support. Germany, Denmark, New Zealand, and South Korea defended the attacks and warned of further action. Italy, Spain, and France opted not to sign or participate, fearing a wider escalation.
Egypt, controlling the Suez Canal, expressed deep concern at the attack on the Houthis. A senior U.S. official accused Tehran of providing military capabilities and intelligence to the Yemeni group.
Iran, supporting both the Houthis and Hamas militants in Gaza, condemned the strikes. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian praised the Houthis’ actions and called for the White House to stop its “all-out military and security cooperation” with Israel against Gaza and the West Bank.
Iran-backed groups increased attacks on U.S. targets since Hamas militants attacked Israel in October, leading to a conflict in Gaza. The U.S. Treasury Department issued sanctions targeting four oil tankers and two firms, alleging their shipments financed the Houthis and Iran’s Quds Force.
Houthi attacks forced commercial ships to take a longer route around Africa, raising concerns of inflation and supply chain disruption. Container shipping rates surged, affecting global routes.
Carmakers Tesla and Volvo, owned by China’s Geely, announced production suspensions due to delays in parts shipments from Asia, impacting facilities in Germany and Belgium.
The U.S. faces challenges in balancing its commitment to keep the shipping lane open and protect the global economy against the risk of spreading unrest in the region.