U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed that after numerous Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, the U.S. and British armed forces struck Houthi targets in Yemen on the night of January 12, 2024.
This is said in a statement by the White House press service.
According to Biden, on his instructions, the US Armed Forces, together with the UK and with the support of Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands, “successfully struck a number of targets in Yemen” used by Houthi rebels.
He emphasized that the strikes are a direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks on international vessels in the Red Sea, including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles.
Biden also noted that these attacks “have jeopardized U.S. personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, and jeopardized trade and freedom of navigation.”
“More than 50 countries have been affected by 27 attacks on international commercial shipping, and crews from more than 20 countries have been threatened or taken hostage in acts of piracy,” he emphasized.
The US President also stated that the international community’s response to these attacks was united and resolute.
“Last month, the United States launched Operation Prosperity Keeper, a coalition of more than 20 nations committed to protecting international navigation and deterring attacks in the Red Sea. Today’s defense action follows an extensive diplomatic campaign,” Biden said.
He emphasized that these strikes send a clear message that the United States and its partners will not be attacked and will not allow freedom of navigation to be jeopardized on one of the world’s most important commercial routes.
“I will not hesitate to order further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international trade, if necessary,” the president concluded.
The publication CNN, citing unnamed U.S. officials, reported on the evening of January 11 that the strikes were carried out from fighter jets with Tomahawk missiles.
According to them, more than a dozen Houthi targets were hit by missiles fired from the air, surface and underwater platforms. Radar systems, places for storing and launching drones, places for storing and launching ballistic and cruise missiles were attacked.
Also, the BBC reported strikes on the Yemeni capital Sanaa and Hudaydah, a Houthi port stronghold on the Red Sea.
Footage of the attack on Yemen is being shared online:
