NEW DELHI: Militaries from the United States and the United Kingdom, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, conducted additional
strikes
against
Houthi-controlled areas
in
Yemen
, according to a statement from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
The collective action aimed at sending a clear message to the Houthis regarding the consequences they will face if they persist in their illegal attacks on
international shipping
and naval vessels, Austin said in a statement.
The strikes, he added, were to disrupt and degrade the capabilities of the Iranian-backed Houthi militia, known for their reckless and destabilizing attacks against US and international vessels in the Red Sea.
The coalition forces targeted 13 locations associated with the Houthis, focusing on deeply buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems and launchers, air defense systems, and radars.
A joint statement released by the US, the UK, and their coalition partners highlighted the proportional and necessary nature of the strikes against 36 Houthi targets across 13 locations in Yemen.
The action, the countries noted, was prompted by the Houthis' continued attacks on international and commercial shipping, as well as naval vessels transiting the Red Sea.
The statement pointed out that the Houthis have conducted more than 30 attacks on commercial and naval vessels since mid-November, constituting an international challenge.
(With agency inputs)
English (US) ·