The United States military has launched a series of strikes against the Iranian-backed Houthi group in Yemen, hitting 15 targets in an effort “to protect freedom of navigation” in the Red Sea.
The Pentagon confirmed the strikes were carried out using aircraft and warships, and explosions were reported in several key Yemeni cities, including the capital Sanaa.
According to Central Command, which oversees US operations in the Middle East, the strikes targeted key Houthi weapons systems, bases, and equipment. This follows a series of attacks by the Houthis on nearly 100 ships in the Red Sea since November, during which two vessels were sunk. The rebel group has claimed that these actions were in retaliation for Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Houthi-aligned media confirmed that Sanaa was among the cities targeted in the US strikes, marking a return to conflict after a period of relative calm. The Yemeni capital has not experienced such attacks in the past two years, as the fighting between warring parties in the country had largely subsided.
This escalation comes in the wake of further Houthi provocations. Last week, the Pentagon reported a “complex attack” by the group on US Navy vessels in the Red Sea, though the US successfully intercepted all weapons launched. In addition, the Houthis claimed to have shot down a US-made MQ-9 Reaper drone, a claim the US military has acknowledged.
The Houthis have also intensified their efforts against Israel, firing missiles and drones directly at the country. In July, a drone attack from Yemen hit Tel Aviv, resulting in one fatality and ten injuries. Last month, the group launched further missile strikes at Israel, including one aimed at the nation’s main airport, prompting Israeli retaliatory strikes on Yemeni sites.
The US, along with the UK and 12 other nations, initiated Operation Prosperity Guardian earlier this year to safeguard shipping routes in the Red Sea from Houthi assaults. The group is part of a broader network of Iranian-backed armed factions in the Middle East, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.
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