U.S. and UK plan to launch nighttime strikes against Houthis in Yemen
U.S. and UK plan to launch nighttime strikes against the Houthis in Yemen (photo: Getty Images)
The United States and Britain may reportedly launch a series of strikes against Houthi bases in Yemen shortly, according to Sky News and The Times.
According to Sky News, there will be no official announcements or public briefings before the strikes are carried out.
Earlier, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, during a special meeting, approved the assignment of airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen. It is expected that British forces will join allies in the operation.
Reportedly, British aviation based in Cyprus and destroyers currently on duty in the region will be involved in the strikes.
Media reports indicate that discussions about potential strikes have been ongoing for several days, and there are concerns that Britain could be drawn into a larger regional conflict.
The coordinated strikes are expected to be similar in scale to those conducted in April 2018 by the United States, Britain, and France against Syria.
Previously, Sunak assured key allies in the region that Britain would continue to take measures to protect the freedom of navigation and safeguard lives at sea.
Houthi attack on ships in the Red Sea
In November 2023, Houthi forces in Yemen initiated attacks on ships in the Red Sea. On December 16, a British destroyer successfully intercepted a drone headed towards a merchant vessel.
As previously reported, the United Nations Security Council demanded an immediate cessation of Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea. The UN also cautioned that an escalation of tensions could lead to even more significant consequences.
It was also noted that the United States and the United Kingdom successfully repelled the largest Houthi attack on ships in the Red Sea.
