
The United States and the United Kingdom carried out a series of airstrikes in Yemen against Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Friday.
According to Fox News, “there were attacks on more than a dozen Houthi targets by air, surface, and subsurface platforms.” All of the strikes were on military locations known to be controlled by the rebels.
The retaliatory airstrikes were a result of the Houthis attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea in late November
“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,” Biden said in a statement.
“I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary,” he continued
According to OAN, the cities in Yemen that were hit the hardest were Sana’a, Hodeidah, Saada, Dhamar, Taiz, and Zabid.
The White House is anticipating retaliation from the Houthis, but as of this writing, no retaliation has come.
“While we fully expect [the joint] airstrikes to diminish the Houthis’ capability and degrade it, and certainly over time to reduce their capacity and propensity to conduct these attacks, we would not be surprised to see some sort of response,” a senior defense official said.
The Houthi group’s leader Abdel-Malek al-Houthi went on television yesterday and promised a response that would be bigger than the most recent strike.
“Any American attack will not remain without a response. The response will be greater than the attack that was carried out with twenty drones and a number of missiles,” he said.
While Biden continues to stand behind the strikes, some Democrats have vocally opposed the decision. “Squad” members Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Cori Bush (D-MO) have been some of the most vocal but there are others as well.
.@POTUS is violating Article I of the Constitution by carrying out airstrikes in Yemen without congressional approval. The American people are tired of endless war.
— Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) January 12, 2024
Some Republican lawmakers, on the other hand, have supported Biden’s decision including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
“I welcome the U.S. and coalition operations against the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists responsible for violently disrupting international commerce in the Red Sea and attacking American vessels. President Biden’s decision to use military force against these Iranian proxies is overdue,” McConnell said.
“I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary,” Biden said in regards to what the future in the region may hold.