Early Saturday, the U.S. military conducted a follow-on action against a Houthi-controlled site in Yemen, identified as a threat to commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The Navy destroyer USS Carney deployed Tomahawk land attack missiles against a Houthi radar site. The strike followed a series of airstrikes by the U.S. and Britain on the previous day, targeting Houthi rebels.
The initial strikes on Friday hit 28 locations and over 60 targets in response to a recent campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. President Joe Biden had warned of further strikes. The U.S. Navy issued a warning to American-flagged vessels to avoid specific areas around Yemen.
The latest strike occurred as the Houthi rebels vowed fierce retaliation, escalating the potential for a broader conflict in a region already grappling with Israel’s war in Gaza. President Biden labeled the Houthis as a terrorist group, emphasizing the need to respond to their actions.
Despite criticism from lawmakers about the lack of congressional authorization, Biden defended the strikes, stating that he had provided details immediately after they occurred. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the military action from the hospital, where he is recovering from complications following prostate cancer surgery.
The strikes, concentrated in low-populated areas, targeted weapons, radar, and other strategic sites. The Houthi rebels claimed the strikes resulted in at least five casualties and six injuries.
The situation remains tense, with the U.S. assessing the extent of damage from the strikes, and the international community expressing concerns about potential escalation. The Red Sea route, a crucial waterway, has been a focal point of recent attacks causing disruptions to global trade. The conflict adds to the longstanding crisis in Yemen, which has faced military actions and humanitarian challenges for years.
In a separate incident, Iran released footage of its seizure of an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, escalating tensions further. The international community, including the United Nations Security Council, is closely monitoring the situation, with the U.S. and its allies justifying the strikes as self-defense. Source: Associated Press
