Following the actions of the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen against merchant ships in response to Israel’s attacks on Gaza, the US and the UK decided to attack.
The decision came after British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak convened an emergency cabinet meeting in the evening.
US and UK decide to attack
The US and the UK launched strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.
The statement, citing US officials, said that the attacks were carried out by airplanes, ships and submarines. So far, it is stated that 3 explosions have been heard in Sana’a, the capital of Yemen.
According to information from local sources in Yemen, US and British warplanes carried out airstrikes on some points in Sana’a, Hodeidah and Taiz cities of Yemen during the night.
Houthis: Attacks will not go unanswered
The Houthis in Yemen issued a statement on the development. It was stated that no US attack against Yemen will go unanswered.
Yesterday, the United Nations Security Council adopted a draft resolution calling for an immediate end to the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea in Yemen.
The draft resolution was approved by the 15-member United Nations Security Council with 11 “yes” votes and 4 “abstentions”.
Activity in the Red Sea
Following the recent actions of the Houthis in Yemen against merchant ships in response to Israel’s attacks on Gaza, many shipping companies decided to suspend their services in the Red Sea.
On December 6, the Pentagon announced that it was in talks to establish an international “Maritime Task Force” to counter attacks by Houthi forces on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
On December 18, it announced the creation of a multinational mission called “Operation Welfare Guardian”.
Trade in the Red Sea has been disrupted due to the recent attacks. Ship traffic decreased by 20 percent in December.
