New US attack on Houthi targets in Yemen. Today's attack targeted a small number of anti-ship missiles intended to be fired at international merchant vessels in the Red Sea, CNN reported. The raid marks the fifth time in a week that the United States has conducted operations against the Iran-backed group. It began with a raid last Thursday by US and British forces in which around 30 targets were hit.
Biden: “US raids will continue”
US raids against the Houthis will continue until they stop attacks on ships in the Red Sea. President Joe Biden is making it clear that attacks will continue after the actions of the last few days. Answering questions from reporters at the White House before his departure for North Carolina, Biden acknowledged that raids conducted by the United States and Britain have not yet produced the desired results.
“If you say they are working, they are stopping the Houthis, no,” the president said, adding that the raids “will continue.” Yesterday saw the fourth wave of missiles fired from ships and submarines against Houthi targets after the United States announced it had re-placed the Yemeni rebel group on the global terrorist list.
The international picture is dominated by tensions between Pakistan and Iran. “Iran does not enjoy a particularly high reputation in the region,” says Bide. “What direction is this going to take? We study it, I don’t know,” he adds.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby specified that Washington was monitoring the situation “very, very carefully.” “We clearly do not want to see an escalation in Central and South Asia,” he added in an interview with journalists on board Air Force One, “and we are in contact with our Pakistani counterparts.”
Pentagon: “US is not at war with Houthis”
“The United States is not at war with the Houthis,” said Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh, saying in a press conference: “We are not looking for war.” We do not believe we are at war. We don't want a regional war. The Houthis are the ones who continue to fire cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles at innocent sailors.”
GB: “US ship surrounded by drones, no damage.” Houthis claim attack
Meanwhile, a security incident was reported 85 nautical miles southeast of Ash Shihr, Yemen, in the Gulf of Aden. This was reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (Ukmto), adding that authorities are investigating the accident. A Marshall Islands-flagged U.S. oil tanker reported at least four drones surrounding the ship, British maritime security firm Ambrey said.
“One of the drones reportedly fell into the water. No damage or injuries were reported. The tanker was not hit and continued its journey,” Ambrey said in a statement. A Yemeni military source told Al Jazeera that the Houthis attacked an American ship near Yemen's Mukalla coast.
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