Attacks were carried out on almost 20 targets in different parts of Yemen, the US and British defense ministries say in their joint statement.
Kai Jääskeläinen
The American and British armed forces report that they have carried out new attacks on the targets of the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Attacks were carried out on a total of 18 targets in different parts of Yemen on Saturday, according to a joint statement by the US and British defense ministries.
According to the statement, attacks were carried out on, among other things, air defense and radar systems as well as underground weapon and missile storage facilities.
Al Masirah TV, the news channel of the Houthi rebels, reports that on Saturday, the United States and Britain carried out nine airstrikes alone on the Yemeni capital, Sana’a.
The United States and Britain have carried out strikes on Houthi rebel targets in response to the Houthis’ repeated attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Houthi rebels began their attacks on cargo ships in November, claiming the attacks were in response to Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip.
Austin: The Houthis will suffer sanctions if the attacks are not stopped
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin says that the goal of Saturday’s attacks was to “further disrupt and weaken the strike capability of the Iran-backed Houthi forces†.
– We continue to make it clear to the Houthis that they will suffer from sanctions if they do not stop their illegal attacks, which harm the national economies of the Middle East, cause environmental damage as well as are disrupting humanitarian aid deliveries to Yemen and other countries, Austin said.
– When necessary, the United States will not hesitate to act to protect human lives and the free movement of goods on one of the world’s most important waterways, Austin added.
In Saturday’s attack, the US and British armed forces were also supported by Australia, Bahrain, Denmark, Canada, the Netherlands and New Zealand.
It was the coalition’s second attack on Houthi rebel targets this month and the fourth in total after the coalition led by the United States and Britain began a military operation in the region.
In addition to the alliance’s strikes, the United States has carried out independent strikes against the Houthi rebels.
Sources: Reuters, AFP, STT