US, UK Airstrikes Hit More Houthi Targets In New Escalation

The United States and the United Kingdom conducted fresh airstrikes on Yemen's Houthi rebels, marking their second round of joint military action against the Iran-backed group. This move was declared as a response to the ongoing attacks on shipping by the Huthis. The initial wave of strikes occurred on January 11, with the U.S. launching subsequent air raids against missiles ready to launch, posing a threat to both civilian and military vessels.

While the Huthis claimed to have targeted a U.S. military cargo ship on Monday, U.S. officials disputed this assertion. The recent U.S.-UK strikes targeted eight Huthi sites in Yemen, aiming to counter the rebels' continued assaults on international and commercial shipping in the Red Sea. These precision strikes focused on Huthi underground storage facilities and locations associated with their missile and air surveillance capabilities. The joint statement by Washington and London, along with supportive countries, emphasized the intention to disrupt and degrade Huthi's capabilities threatening global trade and maritime safety.

The Huthis' recent actions were deemed "illegal, dangerous, and destabilizing," justifying the military response. The rebel group has persistently carried out attacks since the previous joint U.S.-UK air raids. The strikes targeted locations in Yemen, including the capital of Sanaa and the Al-Dailami military base under Huthi control.

While the Huthis claimed to have launched a military operation targeting a U.S. military cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, the U.S. defence official refuted this, stating there was no evidence supporting the claim.

The Huthis initiated attacks on Red Sea shipping in November, justifying them as a response to Israeli-linked vessels, supporting Palestinians in Gaza. The conflict has expanded beyond military actions, with Washington applying diplomatic and financial pressure on the Huthis. Recently re-designated as a "terrorist" entity by the U.S., the Huthis reiterated their commitment to responding to any attack on Yemen and preventing Israeli ships from crossing the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The situation in Yemen is intertwined with broader regional tensions and violence, involving Iran-backed groups across the Middle East. Rising fears of a wider regional conflict persist amid the ongoing crisis linked to the Gaza war.

अमेरिका, ब्रिटेन के हवाई हमलों ने नए तनाव में और अधिक हौथी लक्ष्यों को प्रभावित किया।