US and UK launch strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen
Al Jazeera
Iran-aligned group calls attacks ‘barbaric’, says it will continue to target ships heading towards Israel.
The United States and Britain have launched military strikes in Yemen against the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in response to the group’s attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, raising fears of an escalation of conflict in the region.
US President Joe Biden warned on Thursday that he would “not hesitate” to take further action if necessary and that the strikes followed “unprecedented” attacks by the Houthis on commercial ships in the Red Sea.
“These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation,” Biden said.
Calling the attacks on Yemen “barbaric”, the Houthis said on Friday that there was no justification for them and that the group will continue targeting ships heading towards Israel.
Britain’s defence ministry said in a statement that “early indications are that the Houthis’ ability to threaten merchant shipping has taken a blow”.
