UK, US Lead 24-Nation Coalition in Strategic Strikes Against Houthi Sites in Yemen
The United Kingdom on Tuesday released a joint statement on behalf of the 24 countries involved in the recent strikes against Houthi military infrastructure in Yemen. The statement disclosed that Monday’s operation successfully targeted and struck eight additional Houthi sites within the territory controlled by the Iran-aligned rebel group.
Issued by the British prime minister’s office, the statement explains that the operation was conducted “in response to continued illegal and reckless Houthi attacks” in the Red Sea.
The US and UK armed forces led the tactical execution of the strikes, with support from coalition partners including Australia, Bahrain, Canada, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.
“These strikes were designed to disrupt and degrade the capability of the Houthis to continue their attacks on global trade and innocent mariners from around the world while avoiding escalation,” the statement reads.
The Houthis maintain control over much of Yemen’s heavily mountainous northwest, including the nation’s capital and largest city, Sanaa. By far Yemen’s most populated area, this region directly borders the Red Sea and provides the Shia-affiliated militia with the proximity to launch missiles against their maritime commercial targets sailing toward or away from Egypt’s Suez Canal.
Last week, the US State Department announced it would redesignate the Houthis as a terrorist organization, a decision set to take effect in February.
