Sana’a, Yemen – January 14, 2024 – US-UK forces launched several airstrikes on the Yemeni capital of Sana’a on Saturday morning, according to Houthi-affiliated media.
The Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV channel reported that “the US-UK enemy is targeting Sana’a with several airstrikes.” The channel added that the airstrikes targeted the al-Dailami airbase, but did not provide further details.
The US Central Command (Centcom) confirmed that US forces conducted a single strike against a radar site in Yemen at approximately 3:45 a.m. local time (00:45 GMT) on Saturday.
“The strike was conducted by the USS Carney (DDG 64) using Tomahawk land-attack missiles against a military target associated with the strikes conducted on January 12 (Friday morning) with the intent of degrading the Houthi’s ability to attack merchant vessels,” the Centcom statement said.
The Centcom statement did not mention British participation in the new airstrikes.
On Friday morning, the White House announced in a joint statement from 10 countries that “in response to Houthi attacks against merchant vessels in the Red Sea, US and British forces conducted joint attacks against targets in areas controlled by the Houthis in Yemen.”
The joint statement was issued on behalf of the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and South Korea, according to the White House.
The Houthi rebel group in Yemen has threatened to retaliate against the airstrikes conducted by the United States and the United Kingdom on Friday by targeting the interests of those two countries, which have now become “legitimate targets,” and in response to their “direct and declared aggression” against Yemen, according to a statement published by the Yemeni news agency SABA, which is controlled by the Houthis.
The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have been carrying out a series of drone and missile attacks off the Yemeni coast against merchant vessels owned or operated by Israeli companies or carrying goods to and from Israel. The Houthis say they are acting in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which has been bombarded and besieged by the Israeli state with the support of Washington since October 7, 2023.
Analysis
The new airstrikes by US and UK forces are a sign that the Biden administration is taking a more aggressive approach to the conflict in Yemen. The strikes are also a warning to the Houthis that the United States will not tolerate their attacks on maritime traffic.
The Houthi threats to retaliate against the United States and the United Kingdom are a worrying sign that the conflict in Yemen could escalate. The United Nations has urged all sides to avoid further violence, but it is unclear whether they will heed these calls.
