War between Israel and Gaza, live | The United States and United Kingdom bomb Houthis in Yemen in a new attack. international

US and Britain launch new attack on Houthi rebels in Yemen

The United States and the United Kingdom bombed several Houthi rebel positions in Yemen this Saturday, representing the two countries’ fourth joint operation against that group, according to a joint statement.

According to the statement, the operation hit 18 “targets” at eight different locations in Yemen, including underground warehouses where the Houthis reportedly stored some missiles that they use to attack shipping in the Red Sea. Used to do for.

The bombing also damaged air defense systems, radar and a helicopter, according to the statement signed by the United States, the United Kingdom and the other six countries supporting the operation (Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands and New Zealand). ,

The strikes come in response to increasing attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis against various ships, including a British cargo ship and a US destroyer in the Red Sea, as well as the launch of missiles against the coastal city of Eilat. In southern Israel.

This is the fourth joint attack by Washington and London against the Houthis. The first major operation to retaliate against rebels for attacks in the Red Sea occurred on January 12, hitting 60 targets in Yemen.

Since that first joint bombing, the United States has carried out several separate strikes against the Houthis, many of them against missiles that, according to Washington, pose an imminent threat to ships in the Red Sea.

The Houthis, an Iran-backed militia that controls large areas in Yemen, have launched several attacks in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait against ships they say are linked to or headed for Israel. Are going.

The Houthis claim their attacks are retaliation for an October 7, 2023 attack on the Gaza Strip by Israel following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas.

The violence has raised fears that the war in Gaza, where 29,600 people have already been killed, will escalate into a regional war.

Furthermore, these Houthi attacks could have a huge impact on the world economy as approximately 15% of global maritime trade flows through the Red Sea.