US, UK launching strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen: Everything you must know

Last updated on January 15th, 2024 at 06:17 am

The United States and United Kingdom have started launching airstrikes on numerous sites used by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The strikes are a response to the group’s persistent attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea.

Soon after the Hamas militants in Gaza launched a surprise attack on Israel in October, killing some 1,200 people, the Houthi leader announced his forces’ readiness “to move in the hundreds of thousands to join the Palestinian people and confront the enemy.”

Red Sea disruption making Houthis a major global player

The brutal Israel-Gaza conflict has been raging on since October 7. Nearly 24,000 people have been killed in the Palestinian enclave, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Shortly after the start of the violence, the Houthis began attacking vessels in the Red Sea.

The Houthi rebels are supporting Hamas in the ongoing conflict. The situation escalated on November 19, as militants used a helicopter to seize a car carrier chartered by a Japanese company and linked to an Israeli businessman, abducted the crew.

Multiple attacks on ships in the critical shipping route followed. The strikes have been mostly unsuccessful but several companies decided to bypass the Red Sea route and divert around Cape of Good Hope, significantly adding to journey times and costs.

Some Yemenis see the Houthi operations as a legitimate means of exerting pressure on Israel and its allies in defence of Palestinian civilians. Several experts believe the militant group’s intervention has helped bolster their domestic support.

US-UK strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen

In response to the Houthi attacks, the US announced the formation of Operation Prosperity Guardian on December 18. The country refrained from direct confrontation until December 31, when US Navy helicopters fired on a group of small boats, resulting in 10 fatalities.

On January 9, the US and UK shot down 21 drones and missiles fired by the militants. The next day, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said further attacks could prompt a western military response. Keep an eye out for further updates.