US, UK conduct joint strikes on more than a dozen Houthi targets in Yemen: 'Specifically targeted'

 The United States and the United Kingdom, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands and New Zealand, launched more than a dozen strikes on Iran-backed Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday, two US officials told Fox News.

The targets successfully hit included weapons storage facilities, and drones and missile launchers.

A senior US official said the operation struck five Houthi-controlled positions in Yemen and was a response to almost daily Houthi attacks involving Iranian drones and anti-ship ballistic missiles.

The fourth round of US and British attacks came days after a British cargo ship was hit by a Houthi missile.

In a joint statement, the U.S., U.K. And other allied countries said: "In response to the Houthis' continued attacks against commercial and naval vessels transiting the Red Sea and surrounding waterways, today forces from the United States and the United Kingdom, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Support from the Netherlands and New Zealand launched an additional round of strikes against multiple targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

Houthi rebels' attack seriously damages a Belize-flagged ship in the key strait leading to the Red Sea

The statement called the strikes "proportionate", adding that they "specifically targeted 18 Houthi targets at 8 locations in Yemen, including Houthi underground weapons storage facilities, missile storage facilities, unmanned aerial vehicles carrying a one-sided attack." The aerial systems were connected to air defense systems, radar and a helicopter. These precision strikes are aimed at disrupting and impairing the capabilities that the Houthis use to attack global trade, naval vessels and innocent sailors in one of the world's most vital waterways. To put life in danger."

"These strikes are in response to the Houthis' repeated attacks against commercial and naval vessels that have endangered not only international sailors but the lives of the Yemeni people, including the February 22 missile attack," the statement said. , which attacked the United Kingdom-owned M/V Islander and injuring one crew member, the February 19 missile attack that nearly hit the U.S.-owned M/V C Champion while delivering humanitarian aid to Yemen the 19 February UAV attack that attacked the US-owned M/V Navis Fortuna, and the 18 February missile attack that attacked the United Kingdom-owned M/V Rubymar and forced the crew to abandon ship. "Forced."

Pentagon challenges perception US strikes are stopping Houthi attacks

It said the Houthis have carried out more than 45 attacks on commercial and naval vessels since mid-November that "threaten the global economy, as well as regional security and stability, and demands an international response. Like-minded Our coalition of countries remains "committed to protecting freedom of navigation and international commerce and to holding the Houthis accountable for their illegal and unjustified attacks on commercial shipping and naval vessels."

The countries said they aimed to "de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, but we will once again reiterate our warning to the Houthi leadership: we will not hesitate to protect lives and continue the free flow of trade." Constant threats.”

According to two US defense officials, the strikes were carried out by F-18s from the USS Eisenhower.

Assessment of any casualties is ongoing. Two US defense officials said much lower numbers were expected, if any.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also issued a statement saying: "Today, United States and United Kingdom forces, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, conducted strikes against military targets." Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. Coalition forces targeted eight locations, including Houthi underground weapons storage facilities, missile storage facilities, one-way attack unmanned aerial systems, air defense systems, radars and a helicopter, in order to further disrupt and degrade capabilities . The Iran-backed Houthi militia is said to be conducting its unprovoked and reckless attacks against US and international vessels legally transiting the Red Sea, the Bab Ai-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden.

US coalition forces destroy 6 Houthi unilateral attack drones

He said, "The United States will not hesitate to take action as necessary to protect life and the free flow of commerce in one of the world's most vital waterways. We will continue to make clear to the Houthis that if they do so they will be punished for their actions." There will be consequences." They do not stop their illegal attacks, which harm Middle Eastern economies, cause environmental damage, and disrupt the delivery of humanitarian aid to Yemen and other countries."

US Central Command said in a statement: "At 5 pm (Sanaa time) on 24 February, USS Mason (DDG 87) intercepted an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) launched by the Iran-backed Houthis in the Gulf of Aden. Downed. Controlled areas of Yemen. The missile was likely targeting the US-flagged, owned-and-operated chemical/oil tanker MV Torme Thor. Neither the USS Mason nor the MV Torme Thor sustained any damage and no one was injured. "

U.K. The Ministry of Defense said four Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s supported by two Voyager tankers again took part in "deliberate coalition strikes" against Houthi targets.

"Intelligence analysis successfully identified multiple long-range drones used by the Houthis for both reconnaissance and strike missions at a former surface-to-air missile battery site several miles northeast of Sanaa," the ministry said. " "Our aircraft used Paveway IV precision guided bombs against the drones and their launchers, despite the Houthis using old missile batteries to protect the drones."

The ministry said that previous RAF strikes on 11 January and 3 February had already "hit several buildings used to support drone and cruise missile operations in Bani, about fifteen miles west of Abs airfield in north-western Yemen." were successfully destroyed. Additional buildings were later confirmed to be involved in drone and missile activities at the Bani site and were therefore targeted during this latest attack."

The attacks come days after a British cargo ship was hit by a Houthi missile, which Centcom is now calling an "environmental disaster" after an oil slick was seen 18 miles from space and the ship was taking on water. And there is danger of drowning. , More than 40,000 tonnes of fertilizer is on board.

Earlier this week, a US-owned cargo ship was also hit by a missile attack.

American and British forces began their first round of attacks on January 11, but attacks against commercial shipping at sea continued.

British forces are using Tornado strike fighters launched from the island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea. The American jets came from the flight deck of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. US warships have also launched Tomahawk cruise missiles against targets in Yemen.

British warships in the Red Sea do not have the capability to attack Yemen. Royal Navy destroyers and frigates cannot launch missiles against land targets.

Both British and French warships have destroyed drones in the air in recent weeks.