US President Joe Biden says the attacks are a response to attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea
The United States and the United Kingdom launched a series of attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen on Thursday night (January 11, 2024). In a statement (full, in English PDF 34 kB), North American President Joe Biden said the attacks were supported by Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands. He said he would not hesitate to take further action against the rebel group.
“These raids are a direct response to the Houthis’ unprecedented attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea including the use of antiship ballistic missiles.” [míssil designado para uso contra navios] for the first time in history,” Biden said. According to him, Thursday's (January 11) action “is a clear message” that the US and its allies “will not tolerate attacks” and “will not allow hostile actors to endanger freedom of navigation on one of the US's most critical trade routes.” “. World”.
According to Portal, the bombings on Thursday (Jan 11) targeted a military base next to the airport in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, a military facility near Taiz airport, a Houthi naval base in Hodeidah and military installations in Hajjah province.
Iran, which supports the rebel group, condemned the US and British attacks. “We consider it a clear violation of Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as a violation of international laws, regulations and rights,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said.
The Houthis say their attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea are a show of support for the Palestinians and Hamas, the Islamist group that controls the Gaza Strip and is at war with Israel.
“These attacks have endangered U.S. personnel, sailors and our partners, jeopardized commerce and threatened freedom of navigation,” Biden said. “I will not hesitate to take additional measures if necessary to protect our people and free international trade,” he added.
Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States have issued a joint statement (full, in English PDF 33 kB) on this issue. They said the “joint offensive actions” were carried out “in accordance with the inherent right to individual and collective selfdefense and in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.”
Thursday's (Jan. 11) attacks, according to the statement, were aimed at “destroying and destroying” infrastructure that the Houthis “use to threaten global trade and the lives of seafarers” sailing in the Red Sea.
“The Houthis’ more than two dozen attacks on commercial vessels since midNovember represent an international challenge,” the statement said. “Our goal remains to calm tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea,” the statement said.
“But let our message be clear: We will not hesitate to defend lives and protect the free flow of commerce in one of the world's most critical waterways in the face of constant threats,” he added.