23-1-2024 (LONDON) Joint US and British military operations conducted a series of airstrikes on January 22, targeting Houthi installations in Yemen. The Pentagon disclosed that the strikes specifically aimed at a subterranean Houthi storage facility and the group’s missile and surveillance capabilities utilized in Red Sea shipping disruptions.
The Houthis, in control of Yemen’s most densely populated regions, assert that their attacks are in support of Palestinians facing aggression from Israel in Gaza. These actions have not only hindered global shipping operations but also raised concerns about potential worldwide inflation. The broader worry is that the fallout from the Israel-Hamas conflict could lead to instability in the Middle East.
The recent offensive involved eight precision strikes, with collaborative support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, as stated in a joint release by the six nations. The joint statement emphasized the intent to disrupt and diminish Houthi capabilities that pose threats to global trade and the safety of innocent sailors.
British Defence Minister Grant Shapps defended the strikes, stating that they were carried out in self-defence. Shapps asserted, “This action will deliver another blow to their limited stockpiles and their ability to jeopardize global trade.”
BREAKING: US and UK attacked several Houthi target across Yemen!
Bad news for terrorists and their supporters. pic.twitter.com/6fwCHkYp7I
— Hananya Naftali (@HananyaNaftali) January 22, 2024
Despite multiple rounds of airstrikes in the past month, Houthi attacks on shipping have persisted. Container vessels navigating the Red Sea, a vital route to the Suez Canal from Asia to Europe, have been compelled to pause or redirect. Consequently, many ships have opted for the longer journey via the Cape of Good Hope.
