Joint US And UK Airstrikes Target Yemen's Houthi Rebels, Resulting In 16 Fatalities And 42 Injuries

A joint airstrikes by the United States and the United Kingdom targeted Yemen's Houthi rebels, resulting in 16 fatalities and 42 injuries. The strikes occurred on Thursday, focusing on various underground facilities, missile launchers, and command sites.

What Happened: Three U.S. officials, speaking anonymously, stated that the airstrikes were a response to increased Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. The U.S. F/A-18 fighter jets involved launched from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, reported AP News.

The Houthis reported that a strike hit a building housing Hodeida Radio and civilian homes in the port city of Hodeida. Their Al Masirah news channel showed images of injured civilians receiving aid.

Additional strikes targeted areas near Sanaa's airport and communication equipment in Taiz. Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam condemned the attacks, linking them to Yemen’s support for Gaza.

Houthi official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti threatened further retaliation against the U.S. and U.K, according to the report.

"We confirm this brutal aggression against Yemen as punishment for its position in support of Gaza, in support of Israel to continue its crimes of genocide against the wounded, besieged and steadfast Gaza Strip," Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam said.

The U.K. Defense Ministry confirmed Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s conducted strikes on Hodeida and Ghulayfiqah, targeting drone control facilities and storage sites.

"The strikes were taken in self-defense in the face of an ongoing threat that the Houthis pose," U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said. "There's an ongoing threat that the Houthis pose."

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Why It Matters: The airstrikes come amid escalating tensions in the region. Earlier this year, Houthi rebels attacked a vessel bound for Iran with a missile barrage, heightening concerns over maritime security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. In response, the U.S. military has been actively countering Houthi threats, including the destruction of two Houthi drones over Yemen and the Red Sea in April.

The Houthis have also been vocal about their stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict. In February, they demanded an end to Israel’s “aggression” in Gaza to halt their attacks in the Red Sea. This context highlights the interconnected nature of regional conflicts and the broader geopolitical implications.

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This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Kaustubh Bagalkote