U.S. and United Kingdom hit Huti military targets in Yemen

The United States and the United Kingdom carried out Thursday raids and firing on the military infrastructure of the proiranic Huti rebels, supported by Iran. This group opposed repeated warnings to stop attacks on merchant ships passing through the Red Sea. Their attacks are motivated by support for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

In response to a series of aggressive actions by the Huti in the Red Sea, including the largest attack on merchant ships on 9 January, the culminating point of the escalation of tension, the United States and the United Kingdom took decisive action against the rebels in Yemen. The military operation was a reaction to violations of international law by Huti, who destabilised the security of international shipping routes. The British Ministry of Defence stressed that "special care has been taken to minimise any risk to the civilian population" when planning and conducting operations.

Yesterday Saw the largest attack on a Royal Navy warship in decades.

I’d like to thank the crew of @HMSDiamond for their heroic service in the Red Sea, as they continue to defend others lives and global trade from these intolerable Houthi attacks.

The successful destruction... pic.twitter.com/BygNrD8aAg
— Rt Hon Sir Grant Shapps (@grantshapps) January 10, 2024

American armed forces concentrated on destroying more than 60 rebel targets at 16 different locations, including radar systems, storage sites, and drone and missile launchers. The strikes were precise and affected both the capital of Yemen, Sanaaa, controlled by Huti, as well as other strategic points including the port of Hodeidah on the Red Sea and the fortress of Saada. The decision to use force was taken after careful analysis of the situation and was not only retaliatory, but also preventive, to secure key maritime routes.

In addition to the actions of the United States, the British Defence Ministry also took concrete steps in this operation. It focused on targets that posed a direct threat to security, including Huti facilities responsible for attacking the Royal Navy HMS Diamond ship and US Navy units.

As part of this operation, two priority targets were set: the Bani facility, which is the base for spy and attacking drones, and the Abbs airport, used to launch maneuvering missiles and drones towards the Red Sea. British forces carried out precise attacks on these locations, effectively eliminating the key elements of Huti infrastructure, which was an important element of a joint operation with the US to ensure security in the region.

This coordinated operation underlines the determination of both countries to ensure security in the Red Sea region as well as their readiness to intervene in the event of violations of international law. The Huti report that more than 70 attacks have taken place in total.

During recent armed actions, Polish Navy The United States and the United Kingdom have used advanced weapons to carry out their operations. Americans used Tomahawk maneuvering missiles, which are precision weapons targeted using GPS. They are programmed for evasive flight. This allows them to avoid defending their opponent.

In addition, the U.S. Armed Forces used over 100 different types of precision guided missiles. Although the exact numbers are not given, their use indicates a significant scale of operation.

On the other hand, the United Kingdom decided to use Typhoon RAF aircraft that competed from Cyprus, equipped with Paveway IV guided bombs. These bombs are also known for their high accuracy. The exact number of bombs that were dropped has not been revealed.

It is worth noting that in these operations the USA and the United Kingdom received inoperable support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands. The international cooperation of this scale underlines the complexity of the conflict in Yemen and the importance of Huti's actions, a rebel group supported by Iran and the Shiite community of the Zaid minority in Yemen.

The Huti Group, which took its name from its founder Hussein al-Houthi, has been actively participating in the Yemen Civil War since 2014. Huta's opponents are government forces, supported by a coalition of Arab countries headed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Huti, including so-called. 'positions of resistance' supported by Iran, resist not only the Yemeni government, but also Western countries, including Israel and the United States. As part of its military activities, this group is carrying out attacks on merchant ships, including those entering Israeli ports, which led to the creation of an international naval coalition under the command of the US to prevent further threats in the region.

The Red Sea is crucial for global trade due to its strategic location. As one of the main waterways, it operates a significant proportion of world shipping, including the transport of energy raw materials and commercial goods. Due to conflicts and attacks, many shipping companies had to change their ships' routes, resulting in longer routes and consequently higher costs. Crossing the Red Sea also involves higher insurance premiums. These changes affect global supply chains and may lead to an increase in the end prices of goods.

The Pentagon spokesperson stressed that the selected targets of the attack were carefully selected to reduce the risk of loss among civilians and avoid escalation of the conflict. According to the Department of Defence information, despite the announcements from Huti, no retaliatory action has been observed so far, although it is possible for them to occur.

The U.S. authorities have made it clear that Iran is responsible for the attacks, which, according to them, "unquestionably took part at every stage", including providing data on the location of ships passing through the Red Sea. The United States is considering taking appropriate action against Iran in connection with its involvement in this conflict.

President Joe Biden described the attacks as a "direct response" to Huti's actions in the Red Sea, stressing that these actions posed a threat to American personnel. In turn, Rishi Sunak, assessing the action, stated that it was "necessary and proportionate" to protect global shipping. He pointed to the continuous attacks of Huti despite international warnings, including the Royal Navy and US Navy warships, stating that this situation could no longer continue.

In the context of the recent attacks by Huti, a spokesman for the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that these actions could announce the escalation of the conflict, particularly against international maritime trade. The situation in the Red Sea, described by the British Secretary of Defense as unsustainable, may lead to further tensions, especially in the face of deliberate attacks on warships. Huti, declared opponents of Israel, warn against continuing their attacks, which may be exacerbating the already tense situation in the region.

Written by Mariusz Dasiewicz