After the airstrikes on their positions in Yemen, the Houthis threaten to retaliate. "America and Great Britain must be ready to pay a high price," one representative of this military-political organization told Houthi Al-Masira television. This station reported that Yemen was subjected to a "massive, aggressive attack by American and British ships, submarines and warplanes, and that the cities of Sana'a, Hodeidah and Sada were targeted."
On the platform, X Group announced, despite this, that it would continue to attack ships in the Red Sea. One of the Houthi spokespersons, Mohamed Abdulsalem, said that there was "no justification" for the actions of the US and Britain.
US Defense Secretary Austin Lloyd, on the other hand, stated that the attacks were aimed at Houthi drones, ballistic and cruise missiles and radar installations. "The coalition intervention is a clear message to the Houthis that they will pay a price if they do not stop their illegal attacks," Lloyd said.
Biden and Sunak on military intervention
US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed earlier a joint military operation in Yemen.
Biden announced that the strikes were carried out with the support of Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands.
"The attacks are a direct response to Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea. American people, sailors and our partners, trade and free navigation are threatened by them. We will not hesitate to apply further measures to protect people and free trade," said the US president Voice of America reports.
United States Red Sea HouthisRishi Sunak and Joe Biden / Photo:
Paul Ellis/Pool Photo via AP
It is the first strike against the Houthis in Yemen, since the militants began attacking vessels in the Red Sea, following the attack by Hamas extremists on Israel on October 7.
Since mid-November 2023, 27 attacks have been committed from areas of Yemen controlled by the Houthis.
Before the military response, several US officials called on the Houthis and Iran to exercise restraint.
"There will be consequences," Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said Thursday in response to VOA's question.
"The Houthis are heavily funded, trained and equipped by Iran." "We are aware of Iran's role in these reckless, dangerous and illegal activities," he said.
UN resolution
The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution on Wednesday calling on the Houthis to immediately stop the attacks.
Last week, the United States and twelve allies warned the Houthis of possible consequences if their attacks in the Red Sea continued.
Explainer Middle East Armed GroupsHouthis in Yemen / Photo: AP Photo/Hani Mohammed
"We are sending a clear message: we call for an immediate end to the illegal attacks and the release of the ships and crews," the UK, Australia, Canada, Germany and Japan said in a statement.
This is not the first time that US forces have responded to militant attacks on ships and vessels. In October 2016, the US destroyer USS Nice fired missiles at three radar sites along the Yemeni-controlled coast of the Red Sea - to disable the Houthis from tracking and targeting ships, Voice of America reports.
According to the Israeli army, the Houthis periodically fired rockets into Israeli territory.
