The US strikes another Houthi site, issues warnings for ships to steer clear of certain Red Sea regions

In the early hours of Saturday, the U.S. military launched an operation against a site in Yemen under Houthi control, identified as a threat to commercial shipping in the Red Sea. This action came on the heels of joint U.S. and British airstrikes against Houthi rebels the previous day.

Explosions were heard by journalists in Sanaa, the Yemeni capital. The U.S. Central Command revealed that the USS Carney, a Navy destroyer, executed the operation using Tomahawk land attack missiles. This was described as a “follow-on action” to the initial Friday strikes that targeted over 60 Houthi locations.

President Joe Biden had previously indicated the possibility of additional strikes against the Houthis. The U.S. Navy had advised American-flagged ships to avoid certain areas near Yemen for 72 hours following the initial airstrikes, in light of Houthi threats of retaliation.

U.S. officials anticipated possible counteractions from the Houthis. The U.S.-led attacks, a response to Houthi assaults on commercial ships in the Red Sea, reportedly resulted in at least five deaths and six injuries, according to Houthi sources. The U.S. confirmed the strikes targeted 28 different Houthi-controlled locations in Yemen.

President Biden, during a visit to Emmaus, Pennsylvania, emphasized a strong response to continued Houthi aggression, while also addressing questions about the Houthis’ terrorist designation and the need for congressional authorization for the strikes. The Pentagon stated that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who was in the hospital at the time, authorized the military action.

In November, the White House considered re-designating the Houthis as terrorists, reversing a 2021 decision by the Biden administration that had undone a Trump-era classification.

Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims of the Joint Chiefs of Staff noted that the U.S. strikes, mainly in sparsely populated areas, targeted Houthi weapons, radar, and other military sites. The U.S. bombardment, covering various Houthi-held locations, underscored the ongoing war in Yemen, further complicated by Houthi attacks in the Red Sea against non-Israeli vessels, ostensibly in response to Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree vowed retaliation for the U.S. strikes. The potential for escalation and a broader conflict loomed, even as Saudi Arabia, supporting Yemen’s government-in-exile against the Houthis, distanced itself from the U.S. actions amid efforts to ease tensions with Iran and uphold a cease-fire in Yemen.

The extent of damage from the strikes remained unclear, though the Houthis reported attacks on various sites, including airfields. The U.S. military was still assessing the impact on Houthi capabilities.

U.S. Air Forces Central Command detailed the strike operations, involving precision-guided munitions and various military assets, including F/A-18 Super Hornets and Tomahawk missiles from multiple Navy vessels.

The U.K. also confirmed strikes on Houthi drone and missile launch sites. Concurrently, Iran seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, further heightening regional tensions.

Houthi official Hussein al-Ezzi warned of significant repercussions for the U.S. and Britain. The Red Sea, a vital global trade route, has been disrupted by these events, affecting oil prices and production.

In Yemen, Houthi strongholds witnessed rallies against the U.S. and Israel. The Houthis control a significant portion of Yemen, a country plagued by war and poor governance, leading to severe humanitarian crises.

U.S. involvement in Yemen spans four presidencies, with ongoing military actions including drone strikes and raids. The conflict escalated with the Houthi takeover of Sanaa in 2014 and the subsequent Saudi-led coalition intervention in 2015, supported by the U.S. and complicated by Iranian backing of the Houthis.

Efforts for de-escalation, including a recent Iran-Saudi deal mediated by China, contrasted with the ongoing conflict. Iran

criticized the U.S. attack, citing concerns about regional insecurity and instability. The situation escalated to the United Nations Security Council, where the Russian Ambassador condemned the U.S. and U.K. actions as aggressive, warning of a potential regional catastrophe. In defense, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield and U.K. Ambassador Barbara Woodward insisted the strikes were in self-defense, emphasizing the need for de-escalation, particularly from the Houthis who were threatening international shipping routes.

The ongoing conflict in Yemen, exacerbated by these latest military actions, has resulted in over 150,000 deaths and a significant humanitarian crisis. The U.S. and its allies’ involvement in Yemen, which includes a history of drone strikes and military operations, has been a consistent feature across multiple U.S. administrations. The war, initially sparked by the Houthi seizure of Sanaa and the Saudi-led intervention, has now become a protracted regional confrontation, with Iran supporting the Houthis.

Amidst these developments, Saudi Arabia, which backs Yemen’s government-in-exile, sought to maintain a cautious stance due to its ongoing negotiations with Iran and the existing cease-fire in Yemen. The extent of the damage from the U.S. strikes remains to be fully assessed, but the Houthis have reported attacks on several significant sites.

In a separate but related event, Iran showcased its seizure of an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, adding another layer of complexity to the regional dynamics. This act was part of ongoing maritime tensions in a region crucial for global trade and energy supply.

The situation in Yemen remains dire, with the majority of its population facing severe food insecurity. The country, one of the Arab world’s poorest, continues to suffer from the repercussions of prolonged conflict and mismanagement. The Houthis now control a significant portion of Yemen, including areas where the majority of the population resides.

In conclusion, the U.S. and U.K. strikes in Yemen, aimed at Houthi targets, have escalated tensions in an already volatile region. The international community, particularly through the U.N., continues to grapple with the complexities and potential ramifications of these actions, while the people of Yemen bear the brunt of this protracted conflict.