US launches second attack against Houthi rebels in Yemen

Tension continues in the Red Sea. Following the large-scale military action carried out yesterday in a joint mission with the United Kingdom, during this Friday night, the United States carried out a second military strike against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, as confirmed by the United States Central Command is (CENTCOM, for its abbreviation in English).

Additional attacks this Friday night had a shorter range than those carried out the previous day and were directed at radar used by the rebels.

CENTCOM reported that the military action was launched at 3:45 am Sanaa time (00:45 GMT) on 13 January from the US naval destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64), using Tomahawk land attack missiles. The command detailed that it was “a follow-up action against a specific military objective” related to strikes carried out yesterday to reduce the Houthis’ ability to attack ships.

Houthi rebels fired at least one ballistic missile at a commercial ship sailing in the Red Sea early Friday, following which US and British military forces launched 73 strikes on their military targets in several provinces of Yemen, killing five of their ranks. People became casualties. the rebels.

CENTCOM did not clarify whether the US acted alone in the second day of military action against the rebels, or whether it was supported by other countries, as was the case with previous operations.

But he warned that the military operations on Thursday and Friday were a far cry from steps taken by a military coalition made up of more than 20 countries under the name ‘Operation Prosperity Guardian’ launched in late December.

Both actions are part of a sharp increase in military operations to prevent attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, which rebel militias say are carried out in support of Palestinians under Israeli bombardment in Gaza.

Attacks on 28 settlements

Lieutenant Douglas Sims, director of operations for the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, detailed at a press conference on Friday that Thursday’s operation struck 28 enclaves and was supported by 10 countries.

“It was specifically designed to go against capabilities that are hindering international freedom of navigation,” Sims said in the press, who added that Washington is “pretty confident” that they have done a good job.

For its part, White House Security Council spokesman John Kirby has said the US does not want a war against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. He said that President Joe Biden intends to reduce tension in the region. “We want their attacks to stop.”

This morning, Biden sent a letter to the US Congress to report the strike against the Houthis in Yemen, after receiving criticism for not notifying the legislative branch before the bombing.

The US President warned in a statement yesterday that “he will not hesitate to order additional measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.”