U.S. and British forces conducted airstrikes against the Houthi terrorist organization in Yemen on Friday, as reported by U.S. officials to The Associated Press.
The Houthis have been causing instability in the Middle East for several years; however, in the past year, they have adopted new objectives, including involvement in an ongoing Iranian-supported offensive against Israel and threatening global shipping routes in the Red Sea. On Friday, U.S. and British military forces targeted over a dozen Houthi sites, shortly after the group vowed to intensify military actions against Israel and allegedly downed another U.S. drone in Yemen, according to the officials.
The operation involved military warships and aircraft, with officials providing information on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the situation. The airstrikes successfully struck five distinct locations in Yemen, focusing on Houthi weapon systems, military bases, and other strategic sites.
A @usairforce F-22 Raptor flys within the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility. @USAFCENT pic.twitter.com/djj1lZDb8C
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) October 3, 2024
Houthi-affiliated media outlets reported that seven airstrikes targeted a significant port city in Yemen, as well as an area containing a Houthi military installation, according to the Associated Press. Additional strikes were also noted within the capital, with air raid sirens being activated in southwestern Yemen.
In retaliation, the Houthis launched more than six ballistic and anti-cruise missiles at three U.S. naval vessels in the vicinity; however, U.S. officials indicated to the Associated Press that all of these missiles were intercepted. It is not uncommon for Houthi missile attacks to be thwarted; since last year, they have aimed missiles at over 80 commercial ships in the area, yet U.S. and coalition forces frequently manage to intercept these threats. Nonetheless, some assaults on merchant vessels have succeeded, rendering the Red Sea a perilous route due to the ongoing Houthi hostility.
The Houthis initiated their attacks against Israel, U.S., and Western forces in October of the previous year in solidarity with Hamas, which launched an incursion into Israel on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and igniting a protracted regional conflict. In addition to the Houthis, Israel is currently engaged in a multi-front war against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, the latter of which provides funding and support to these terrorist organizations.
