US and UK launch strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen

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The US and the UK have carried out military strikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels, raising fears of a broader escalation of the conflict in the region.

US President Joe Biden said he ordered the strikes in response to “unprecedented” attacks by the Yemen-based militants’ attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands also supported the operation.

“These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most critical commercial routes,” Biden said.

“I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.”

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the Houthi attacks were disrupting trade, driving up commodity prices and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

“Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea, including against UK and US warships just this week. This cannot stand,” Sunak said in a statement announcing strikes by the Royal Air Force.

The UK’s navy would continue to patrol the Red Sea as part of a multinational operation, he added.

A US administration official said the strikes had targeted Houthi missile, radar and drone capabilities.

“As of right now, we have not seen any direct retaliatory action towards our US or other coalition members in the Red Sea, Bab Al-Mandab or Gulf of Aden. We remain prepared of course to defend ourselves,” a senior US military official said.

The Houthis, who control northern Yemen, have become one of the most active factions in Tehran’s so-called Axis of Resistance since the war between Israel and Hamas, which is also backed by Iran,…