Biden confirms US, UK, and allies attack Houthis in Yemen

US President Joe Biden has confirmed that the United States and the United Kingdom, supported by Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands, have launched an attack on the Houthis in Yemen.

Source: a statement from Biden

Quote: "Today, at my direction, U.S. military forces—together with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands—successfully conducted strikes against a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most vital waterways.

These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea—including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history."

Details: Biden's statement noted that "these attacks have endangered US personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardised trade, and threatened freedom of navigation".

The statement also notes that over 50 countries have been affected by 27 attacks on international commercial shipping. Crews from more than 20 countries have been threatened or taken hostage during acts of piracy.  More than 2,000 ships have been forced to re-route thousands of miles to avoid the Red Sea, potentially causing weeks of delays in goods delivery.

The Houthis launched their largest attack yet on 9 January, directly targeting US ships.

Quote: "The response of the international community to these reckless attacks has been united and resolute."

"Today’s defensive action follows this extensive diplomatic campaign and Houthi rebels’ escalating attacks against commercial vessels.

These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most critical commercial routes.

I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary."

Background: The United States and the United Kingdom initiated strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen on the night of 11-12 January.

The US and UK forces bombed over a dozen targets used by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen as part of a large-scale retaliatory strike using Tomahawk missiles launched from warships and fighter jets.

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