U.S., UK Bomb 12 Houthi Weapons Hubs In Yemen

The US and UK bombed more than a dozen sites used by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen last week, in a massive retaliatory strike using warship- and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets, US officials said, Lolita C. Baldor and Tara Copp reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Warship- and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets were used to target logistical hubs, air defense systems, and weapons storage and launching locations. I Photo: U.S. Air Force

The military targets included logistical hubs, air defense systems, and weapons storage and launching locations, they said.

President Joe Biden said the strikes were meant to demonstrate that the US and its allies “will not tolerate” the militant group’s ceaseless attacks on the Red Sea. And he said they only made the move after attempts at diplomatic negotiations and careful deliberation.

Houthis have carried out 27 drone and missile attacks since Nov. 19, and had warned that any attack by US forces on its sites in Yemen will spark a fierce military response.

“These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea — including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history,” Biden said in a statement.

He noted the attacks endangered U.S. personnel and civilian mariners and jeopardized trade.

“I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary,” he added. Ahmed al-Haj, Jack Jeffery, Jon Gambrell, Zeke Miller, and Seung Min Kim also reported for AP.

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