US strikes 15 Houthi targets in Yemen following attacks on Israel
Tomahawk land attack missile is launched from U.S. destroyer USS Gravely against what Houthi targets in Yemen, February 3, 2024. (Reuters Photo)
U.S. forces struck 15 targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen on Friday, the U.S. military reported.
Four provinces were hit, according to the Iran-backed rebels’ Al Masirah television network. The U.S. and Britain have repeatedly conducted strikes aimed at curbing the Houthis’ ability to target shipping, yet attacks on merchant vessels transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have continued.
“U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted strikes on 15 Houthi targets in Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen today,” CENTCOM said on social media.
“These targets included Houthi offensive military capabilities,” it added, stating the strikes were carried out “to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels.”
Al Masirah reported four strikes on Sanaa and seven on Hodeida. At least one strike also hit Dhamar, south of the capital, and Mukayras, southeast of Sanaa.
Since November, the Houthis have targeted shipping, claiming the attacks aim at vessels linked to Israel and express solidarity with Palestinians during the Gaza war, disrupting maritime traffic in this globally important waterway.
Houthis strike Israel
Israel has responded to Houthi attacks, with strikes on Hodeida last month killing at least five people after the rebels claimed they targeted Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport with a missile.
The U.S. strikes followed a Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv. The Israeli military reported intercepting “a suspicious aerial target” off central Israel overnight, without providing further details.
On Wednesday, the Houthis claimed to have fired cruise missiles at Israel after Iran’s massive bombardment of the country. The day before, they damaged two ships in separate attacks off Yemen’s coast.
One vessel was struck by a marine drone, puncturing a ballast tank, while a second was damaged by a missile less than three hours later, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
The Houthis, who have controlled large parts of war-torn Yemen for a decade, are part of an “axis of resistance” of Iran-linked groups aligned against Israel and the United States.
The latest strikes coincided with thousands of people taking to the streets of Sanaa to express solidarity with Palestinians and Lebanese amid ongoing attacks by Israel.
“The aggression on the capital and Yemeni governorates after the solidarity marches with Lebanon and Gaza is a desperate attempt to terrorize our people,” Houthi official Hashem Sharaf al-Din told Al Masirah.
“Yemen will not be deterred by these attacks and will continue its steadfastness in confronting the enemies with all its strength,” he added.
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