1 of 2 Missile is fired from a warship during an operation by the United States and the United Kingdom against Houthi targets in Yemen on January 12, 2024 Photo: US Central Command/Portal Missile is fired from a warship during an operation by the United States and the United Kingdom against Houthi targets in Yemen on January 12, 2024 Photo: US Central Command/Portal
The operation against the Houthis was carried out after the rebel group launched several attacks on commercial ships in the area in protest against Israel's war in Gaza. The rebels are allies of Hamas and are supported by Iran.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said that the US and UK bombings against the Houthis hit several cities in Yemen this Friday.
“We consider it a clear violation of Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as a violation of international laws, regulations and rights,” Kanaani said.
Mohammed Abdulsalam, spokesman for the Houthis, said the operation against the group's goals was “unjustified.”
The U.S. government said the bombings on rebel group targets were likely to impact the Houthis' ability to attack in the Red Sea.
The Americans also accused Iran of involvement in rebel attacks in the region in recent weeks.
Hours after the attack, Russia said it had requested an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the bombing.
The escalation of tensions in the Middle East is a growing warning that the conflict centered on Israel and Hamas could spread to other areas in the region.
The attacks by the US and UK this Friday were carried out by sea and air using submarines, ships and aircraft.
Houthi military targets were hit. The facilities housed drones, ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as coastal and air surveillance radars.
These were the first bombings against the group since the rebels began attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea in late 2023.
In recent weeks, militants from the Iranbacked rebel group have increased their attacks on commercial vessels in protest against Israel's war in Gaza. In addition, the Houthis control large parts of Yemen.
At least 27 attacks on ships by the rebel group have been recorded in the region since November. In December, for example, a Norwegian ship was attacked by a missile off the coast of Yemen.
The group has vowed to continue attacks until Israel ends the conflict in Gaza and warned it would attack U.S. warships if the militia group itself were targeted.
The Houthi attacks have disrupted international trade on the main route between Europe and Asia, which accounts for around 15% of global maritime traffic.
Several shipping companies have stopped operations and prefer the longer route around Africa.
2 of 2 Map shows the route ships take to reach the Suez Canal Photo: Kayan Albertin/g1 Map shows the route ships take to reach the Suez Canal Photo: Kayan Albertin/g1