Joint Airstrikes on Houthis: US and UK Target Militant Sites in Yemen

Learn about the joint airstrikes on Houthis in Yemen by the US and UK forces, targeting militant sites amid escalating tensions.

Joint Airstrikes on Houthis: US and UK Target Militant Sites in Yemen

GROTON, Conn. (July 30, 2004) ñ PCU Virginia (SSN-774), the nationís newest and most advanced nuclear-powered attack submarine and the lead ship of its class, returns to the General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard in Groton, Conn., July 30, following the successful completion of its first voyage in open seas ñ called “alpha” sea trials. Virginia is the Navyís only major combatant ready to join the fleet that was designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind and embodies the warfighting and operational capabilities required to dominate the littorals while maintaining undersea dominance in the open ocean. ìNuclear submarines provide a unique contribution to our nationís security and will be increasingly important in the decades ahead,î said Electric Boat President John Casey. ìThe Virginia and the rest of the ships of its class are designed specifically to incorporate emergent technologies that will provide new capabilities to meet new threats.î Virginia will be delivered to the U.S. Navy this fall. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics.
(Photo courtesy of General Dynamics Electric Boat Public Affairs)

In response to a surge in attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi militia on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the United States and the United Kingdom have launched joint airstrikes targeting Houthi targets in Yemen. This marks the fourth coordinated action by the two countries aimed at deterring Houthi attacks on vessels in the region.

The decision to conduct airstrikes came after a missile strike earlier in the week set fire to a cargo ship, adding to the escalating tensions in the region. US President Joe Biden ordered the strikes after being briefed on the targets, emphasizing the US’s stance against Houthi attacks on commercial shipping.

American and British fighter jets carried out the airstrikes, hitting approximately 18 sites across multiple locations in Yemen. The targets included missiles, launchers, rockets, drones, and unmanned surface and underwater vehicles. The US fighter jets launched from the USS Dwight D Eisenhower aircraft carrier, stationed in the Red Sea.

Despite warnings from President Biden, the Houthi attacks on commercial shipping have continued unabated. The militants attribute their actions to Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza, further complicating the situation in the region.

Military jet at high speed creating a pressure wave.

According to reports from Masirah TV, the main television news outlet run by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement, US and UK forces conducted a total of nine airstrikes in the capital city of Sanaa. The strikes aimed to degrade Houthi capabilities and deter future attacks on ships traversing the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) in the UK confirmed that the strikes were carried out by four Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s supported by two Voyager tankers. Intelligence analysis identified several long-range drones used by the Houthis for reconnaissance and attack missions at a former surface-to-air missile battery site northeast of Sanaa. RAF aircraft utilized Paveway IV precision-guided bombs to target the drones and their launchers.

British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps underscored the importance of protecting lives at sea and preserving freedom of navigation. He expressed gratitude to the personnel involved in the precision strikes against Houthi military targets, emphasizing the UK’s commitment to maintaining maritime security in the region.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J Austin acknowledged the support of allied nations, including Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, in carrying out the airstrikes. The targets included underground weapons storage facilities, missile storage facilities, one-way attack unmanned aerial systems, and air defense systems.

The US has been conducting frequent strikes, both independently and in coordination with allies, to neutralize Houthi threats, including incoming missiles and drones aimed at ships. Despite these efforts, the Houthis have continued their campaign against commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh acknowledged the recent increase in Houthi attacks and reiterated that the militants’ capabilities remain intact due to their access to sophisticated weapons, largely supplied by Iran. While the airstrikes aim to degrade Houthi capabilities, they have not completely deterred the group from targeting ships in the region.

In conclusion, the joint airstrikes on Houthis in Yemen underscore the ongoing tensions in the region and the efforts by the US and UK, along with their allies, to protect maritime interests and ensure freedom of navigation. Despite the airstrikes, the situation remains volatile, with the Houthis continuing their attacks on commercial and military vessels. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely as efforts to stabilize Yemen and address the root causes of the conflict persist.