US and UK launch strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen

The US and UK have launched military strikes against the Iranian-backed Yemeni Houthi rebels on January 11, 2024, at 2.30am, in response to the group’s attacks on ships in the Red Sea, marking a significant escalation of the conflict in the region.

The action, which was supported by Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and Bahrain, targeted sites associated with ballistic and cruise missiles, coastal radar and air surveillance capabilities.

According to Reuters, witnesses said there were explosions throughout the country and raids targeted a military base next to Sanaa airport, a military site near Taiz airport, a Houthi naval base in Hodeidah and military sites in Hajjah governorate.

A Houthi spokesperson said that 73 strikes have killed five fighters and wounded six other and that the attacks would not go unpunished.

Joe Biden, US president, said: “These targeted strikes are a clear message that the US and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation.”

US Central Command (USCENTCOM) confirmed that the strikes were not associated with Operation Prosperity Guardian, a defensive coalition of more than 20 states operating in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb Strait and Gulf of Aden.

General Michael Eric Kurilla, USCENTCOM commander, said: “We hold the Houthi militants and their destabilising Iranian sponsors responsible for the illegal, indiscriminate, and reckless attacks on international shipping that have impacted 55 nations so far, including endangering the lives of hundreds of mariners, including the US.

“Their illegal and dangerous actions will not be tolerated, and they will be held accountable.”

Houthi rebels have attacked 27 ships in international shipping lanes since October 2023, targeting vessels that are from or linked to Israel in response to the war in Gaza.

Shipping companies have been forced to reroute vessels away from the Suez Canal to the Cape of Good Hope, adding extra days to the length of journeys and disrupting global trade.

Since the beginning of 2024, Suez Canal revenues have declined by 40% and the number of ship transits has fallen by 30% to 554 ships compared to this time last year.

Rishi Sunak, UK prime minister, said: “The UK will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade. We have therefore taken limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence, alongside the US with non-operational support from the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain against targets tied to these attacks, to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping.

“The Royal Navy continues to patrol the Red Sea as part of the multinational Operation Prosperity Guardian to deter further Houthi aggression, and we urge them to cease their attacks and take steps to de-escalate.”

On January 9, US and UK navies shot down 21 Houthi drones and missiles to repel the largest attack from the group in the Red Sea up to date.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said: “Given the persistence of the Houthis in threatening merchant ships, several of which have already suffered damage, and the deliberate targeting of HMS Diamond and US navy vessels on January 9, coalition forces identified key facilities involved in these attacks, and agreed to conduct a carefully coordinated strike to reduce the Houthis’ capability to violate international law in this manner.”

It noted that targets included a site at Bani in north-western Yemen used to launch reconnaissance and attack drones, buildings involved in drone operations and an airfield used to launch both cruise missiles and drones. 

The MoD claimed that it tried to minimise risks to civilians, with the action taken at night, and said that the Houthis’ ability to threaten shipping “has taken a blow”.

On January 9, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling for the Houthis to immediately end attacks on vessels, but the UK and US rejected three amendments by Russia, with one proposal linking attacks to the Gaza conflict.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US ambassador to the UN, said the action was about upholding the principle of freedom of navigation and it would be wrong to suggest the war in Gaza is the cause for Houthi attacks.

Russia has condemned the strikes from both countries and has called for an urgent UNSC meeting to discuss the situation.

Iran, who the US believe to be giving operational support to the Houthis, condemned the attacks while Saudi Arabia called for restraint and for the situation to de-escalate.

The Houthis have said there was no justification for the strikes, and they will continue to target ships heading towards Israel, causing further issues for shipping companies hoping to transit via the Suez Canal.

With trade via the Suez Canal dropping significantly, Osama Rabie, Suez Canal Authority chairman, said: “The Cape of Good Hope is not a valid and safe route for ships to cross at this time, especially in light of the strange weather and the long duration of the crossing, for more than 10 to 15 days depending on its speed compared to passing through the Suez Canal.”