Pentagon announces new series of coalition strikes in Yemen: 13 targets attacked
Lloyd Austin, U.S. Secretary of Defense (photo: Getty Images)
The U.S. and UK, supported by other coalition countries, conducted additional strikes against military targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. Weapon depots, including missile systems, were targeted, announces U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
According to the head of the U.S. Department of Defense, additional strikes against military targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen were carried out by the Armed Forces of the U.S. and the UK with the support of Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.
"These strikes are intended to further disrupt and degrade the capabilities of the Iranian-backed Houthi militia to conduct their reckless and destabilizing attacks against U.S. and international vessels lawfully transiting the Red Sea," stated U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in a Pentagon statement released overnight on February 4.
The American official noted that coalition forces targeted 13 locations associated with the Houthis' deeply buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems and launchers, air defense systems, and radars.
Austin emphasized that such collective action sends a clear message to the Houthis that they will continue to bear further consequences if they do not end their illegal attacks on international shipping and naval vessels.
"We will not hesitate to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world's most critical waterways," Austin concluded.
Details of the operation
As clarified by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), strikes were carried out on 36 Houthi targets in 13 locations controlled by the militants within Yemen. These targets were allegedly used for attacks on international merchant ships and U.S. Navy vessels in the region.
"These Iranian-backed Houthi targets included multiple underground storage facilities, command and control, missile systems, UAV storage and operations sites, radars, and helicopters," stated the U.S. military in a released statement.
U.S. and British Armed Forces struck Houthi targets in Yemen (photo: twitter.com/CENTCOM)
U.S. and British Armed Forces struck Houthi targets in Yemen (photo: twitter.com/CENTCOM)
U.S. and British Armed Forces struck Houthi targets in Yemen (photo: twitter.com/CENTCOM)
What preceded this
Late on Saturday, it was reported that the U.S. and the UK launched a series of strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. As reported by Al Masirah TV, this attack marked the second in 24 hours, with the targeted sites located in Sanaa.
Additionally, on the evening of February 3, the U.S. Central Command announced a strike on 6 anti-ship cruise missiles belonging to Yemeni Houthi rebels, who were preparing to attack ships in the Red Sea.
Attacks by the Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea
Yemeni Houthi rebels have been periodically attacking merchant ships in the Red Sea with explosive drones, ballistic, and cruise missiles since November of last year. The initial attacks coincided with the start of Israel's war against Hamas.
In response to the U.S. strike, the U.S. and the UK launched missile attacks on Houthi-related targets in Yemen. Explosions were reported across the country. Despite the counterattacks, the Houthis continued to target ships near the Yemeni coast. On January 15, they struck an American vessel.
U.S. operation in the Middle East
At the end of January, a U.S. military base in Jordan was attacked by drones. According to the Pentagon, over 40 American soldiers were injured, and three military personnel lost their lives in this attack. The Pentagon stated that the Kataib Hezbollah group, which is supported by Iran, was involved in the assault.
On the evening of February 2, the U.S. military conducted strikes on more than 85 targets in Iraq and Syria. The strikes lasted about 30 minutes and targeted three locations in Iraq and four in Syria.
