US President Joe Biden ordered the strikes, and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak convened his cabinet to authorize British participation.[21][22] American officials said the strikes were intended to degrade Houthi capabilities to attack Red Sea targets rather than to kill leaders and Iranian trainers.[20][23]
As of 4 April, the Houthis recorded 424 American and British airstrikes against its sites in Yemen, resulting in 37 deaths and 30 injuries.[11]
Background
Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Bab-el-Mandeb strait.
On 16 February 2021, the Biden administration removed Ansar Allah, the formal political and military organization of the Houthi movement, from the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) blacklist,[24] due to concerns that the designation would impede the delivery of humanitarian aid amid Yemen's worsening political and socioeconomic crisis, as the Houthis controlled much of the most populated territory in Yemen.[25] In April 2022, the United Nations brokered a ceasefire between the Houthis and Yemen's internationally recognized Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), which, despite formally lapsing the following October, continues to hold as of December 2023.[26]
By 21 December 2023, the Port of Eilat, which gives Israel via the Red Sea its only easy shipping access to Asia without the need to transit the Suez Canal, had seen an 85% drop in activity due to the Houthi action.[33]
Before the Houthi attack on the freighter Maersk Hangzhou on 30 December 2023, the United States had shot down a total of 24 Houthi missiles and drones[34] and deployed naval ships to protect Red Sea shipping lanes, but had not engaged directly with the Houthis.[35]
A considerable number of freighters have continued to transit, with mostly large container ships diverting away rather than other shipping, with the strait continuing to be heavily used by bulk carriers and tankers which are under different contract arrangements and often from countries supportive of Gaza's situation so perceiving a minimal risk from ongoing Houthi attacks.[36][37] In the first week of January 2024 the average number of freighters active each day in the Red Sea included 105 bulk carriers and 58 tankers, down from 115 bulk carriers and 70 tankers the week before.[38] In contrast, six of the ten largest container shipping companies were largely avoiding the Red Sea,[39] with relatively few container ships transiting the Bab al-Mandeb strait from 18 December 2023.[40]
As of January 2024, most marine insurances require a warranty of no Israeli involvement to insure vessels for the Red Sea route, with some requiring warranties of no US or UK interest and no calls to Israeli ports in the last 12 months.[41]
On 3 January 2024, the United States and a group of countries issued an ultimatum to the Houthis to stop their activities.[42] In the days leading up to the strike, members of the US Congress and The Pentagon demanded a strong and deterrent response to the Houthis.[43] One day before the strike, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution condemning Houthi activities in the Red Sea, in which Russia, China, Algeria and Mozambique abstained.[44][45][46]
Timeline
A US Navy F/A-18 taking off prior to the strikesTomahawk missiles being launched from a US destroyer
At 3:45a.m. Yemen time (UTC+3) the US unilaterally performed an additional strike on a radar site near Sanaa,[6][52] which Al-Masirah reported was at Al-Dailami Air Base.[53] The US Central Command said the "follow-on action" was conducted by the destroyer USSCarney using Tomahawk missiles.[54]
16 January
At 4:15 a.m local time, the US conducted new airstrikes in Yemen, targeting four Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles that were being prepared to target ships in the region.[55][56]
17 January
At approximately 11:59 p.m. local time, the U.S. carried out a series of missile strikes, launched from ships and submarines, against 14 Houthi missiles that were identified as an immediate threat to shipping in the region.[57][58]
18 January
At 3:40 p.m. local time, the US conducted pre-emptive strikes on three Houthi anti-ship missiles that were being prepared to target commercial shipping in the region.[59][60]
19 January
At 6:45 p.m. local time, US Navy F/A-18 aircraft taking off from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower targeted Houthi anti-ship missiles in Yemen that were being prepared for launch. Al-Masirah reported airstrikes in the al-Jabaana neighborhood of Hodeida.[61]
20 January
At 4:00 a.m. local time, the US conducted airstrikes against a Houthi anti-ship missile that was prepared to target shipping in the Gulf of Aden.[62]
22 January
At approximately 11:59 p.m. local time, the US and UK conducted joint air and missile strikes against on 8 Houthi targets across Yemen, including radars and drone and missile sites.[63][64][65]Al-Masirah reported airstrikes in Sanaa and al-Dailami Air Base.[66]
27 January
At approximately 3:45 a.m. local time, US conducted a strike against a Houthi anti-ship missile aimed into the Red Sea, which was prepared to launch.[67]
31 January
At approximately 3:30 p.m. local time, the US conducted a strike against a Houthi surface-to-air missile that posed an imminent threat to US aircraft.[68]
1 February
At approximately 1:30 a.m. local time, the US conducted strikes against a Houthi UAV ground control station and 10 Houthi one-way UAVs.[69]
3 February
At approximately 7:20 p.m. local time, the US struck six anti-ship cruise missiles identified as an "imminent threat" as they were being prepared to launch against vessels in the Red Sea.[70][71]
At approximately 11:30 p.m. local time, the US and UK carried out strikes on 36 Houthi targets across 13 locations. The targeted sites included various underground storage facilities, command and control centers, missile systems, UAV storage and operational sites, radars, and helicopters.[16] The sites were struck using F/A-18 fighter jets from the USS Dwight D Eisenhower and Tomahawk missiles fired by the USS Gravely and the USS Carney from the Red Sea.[72] Explosions were reported in Sanaa following the strikes.[73]
Sky News Arabia reported that over 40 Houthi fighters were killed in the airstrikes conducted that day.[13]
4 February
At approximately 4 a.m. local time, the US struck an anti-ship cruise missile which was determined as an imminent threat.[74] Additional strikes occurred at 5:30 AM and 10:30 local time, targeting five land attack cruise missiles that were being prepared for launch against merchant and US Navy ships.[75]
7 February
At 9 p.m. local time, the US conducted strikes against two Houthi mobile anti-ship cruise missiles. A second strike against a Houthi mobile land attack cruise missile occurred at 11:30 p.m. as it prepared to target ships in the Red Sea.[76] Houthi media reported that locations in Al Hudaydah Governorate were targeted.[77]
8 February
The US conducted seven strikes against Houthi unmanned surface vessels and anti-ship cruise missiles that were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.[78]
9 February
The US conducted a total of seven strikes against Houthi unmanned surface vessels, mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, and a land attack cruise missile (LACM) that were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.[79] The Houthis said that 17 of its fighters were killed in the strikes.[80]
10 February
At approximately 4-5 p.m. local time, the US conducted five strikes against Houthi unmanned surface vessels and mobile anti-ship cruise missiles north of Al Hudaydah.[81]
13 February
The US conducted a strike on a Houthi mobile anti-ship cruise missile that was being prepared to target ships in the region.[82]
14 February
The US conducted four strikes against seven anti-ship cruise missiles, three unmanned aerial vehicles, and one explosive unmanned surface vessel in Houthi controlled areas of Yemen.[83]
15 February
The US conducted two strikes against Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles that were being prepared to target ships in the Red Sea.[84]
16 February
The US conducted two strikes against Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles using unmanned surface vessels.[85]
17 February
The United States military said it destroyed a Houthi unmanned underwater vehicle and a Houthi unmanned surface vehicle while also conducting three strikes against Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles. [86]
20 February
A US MQ-9 Reaper drone was shot down by Houthi surface-to-air missiles near Hodeidah.[9]
21 February
The US conducted four strikes targeting Houthi anti-ship ballistic and cruise missiles that were prepared to target shipping in the Red Sea.[87]
22 February
The US conducted six strikes targeting Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles and anti-ship cruise missiles that were prepared to target shipping in the region.[88]
23 February
The US conducted strikes against seven Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles that were prepared to target shipping in the region.[89]
24 February
Around 11:45 p.m. local time, the US and UK carried out over a dozen airstrikes targeting 18 Houthi sites, marking their fourth round of joint airstrikes. According to US officials, the strikes aimed at underground weapons storage facilities, missile storage facilities, one-way attack unmanned aerial systems, air defense systems, radars, and a helicopter.[90][91]
A day after the attacks, the Houthis' official news agency reported that a civilian was killed and eight others were injured.[92]
26 February
Between 4:45 p.m. and 11:45 p.m. local time, US strikes destroyed three UAVs and two anti-ship cruise missiles.[93]
29 February
The US conducted two strikes targeting six Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles that were prepared to launch towards the Red Sea.[94]
1 March
The US conducted a strike targeting a Houthi surface-to-air missile that was deemed as a threat to the US aircraft in the region.[95]
4 March
The US conducted strikes targeting two Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles that presented a threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region.[96]
6 March
The US conducted strikes against two unmanned aerial vehicles in a Houthi controlled area of Yemen that presented a threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region.[97]
7 March
The US conducted strikes against four mobile Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles and one Houthi unmanned aerial vehicle in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.[98]
8 March
The US conducted strikes against two Houthi truck-mounted anti-ship missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.[99]
11 March
The US conducted six strikes destroying an unmanned underwater vessel and 18 anti-ship missiles in Houthi controlled areas of Yemen.[100]
13 March
The US conducted strikes against four unmanned aerial systems and one surface-to-air missile in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.[101]
14 March
The US conducted strikes against nine anti-ship missiles and two unmanned aerial vehicles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.[102]
16 March
The US conducted strikes against five unmanned surface vessels and one UAV in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen that posed a threat to shipping in the region.[103]
18 March
The US conducted strikes against seven anti-ship missiles, three unmanned aerial vehicles, and three weapons storage containers in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.[104]
22 March
The US conducted strikes against three Houthi underground storage facilities and four unmanned aerial vehicles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, including in Sanaa.[105][106]
30 March
The US conducted a strike on one unmanned aerial systems in the Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.[107]
4 April
The US conducted a strike on one anti-ship missile in a Houthi controlled territory of Yemen.[108]
6 April
The US conducted strikes on one mobile surface-to air missile system in Houthi controlled territory of Yemen.[109]
8 April
The US conducted strikes on an air defense system and a ground control station in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.[110]
10 April
The US conducted strikes on eight UAVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.[111]
14 April
The US conducted strikes on four UAVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.[112]
16 April
The US conducted strikes on two UAVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.[113]
After US/UK attack on Yemen mainland (12 January 2024)
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According to Lt. Gen.Douglas Sims, the director of the US military's Joint Staff, the initial strikes on 12 January successfully achieved their objective of damaging the Houthis' ability to launch complex drone and missile attacks similar to the one they conducted on 10 January. Two US officials, speaking to The New York Times, estimated that the strikes had damaged or destroyed about 20 to 30 percent of the Houthis' offensive capability. Despite damaging or destroying about 90 percent of the selected targets struck, the officials added that locating Houthi targets had proved to be more challenging than anticipated.[115] On 18 January, Joe Biden acknowledged that the strikes had not stopped the Houthis from continuing to attack shipping, but said that efforts to stop them would continue.[116]
According to Yemeni sources who spoke to Sky News Arabia, as of 21 January, at least 75 Houthi fighters, including six members of the Lebanese Hezbollah, three Iranian Revolutionary Guards, and two Iranian-backed Iraqi militants, have been killed in the ongoing bombing campaign.[12]
Reactions
Domestic
Yemeni government
The internationally recognized Government of Yemen issued a statement to Saba News Agency strongly condemning military actions by the Houthis blaming them for "dragging the country into a military confrontation arena for propaganda purposes" and "misleadingly linking it to support for Palestinians".
The government reaffirmed its right to enhance security in the Red Sea region, saying stability there and globally "cannot be achieved except by restoring the legitimate state institutions in Yemen." Reaffirming its support for the Palestinian cause, the Yemeni government warned that "the Israeli aggression in occupied territories risks further destabilizing the region and threatening international peace and security".[117]
In an interview with Agence France-Presse, Aidarus al-Zubaidi, vice president of the Presidential Leadership Council and president of the Southern Transitional Council, said that the missile strikes were not enough to deter the Houthi attacks and said that "an international and regional alliance is necessary to secure international navigation in the Red Sea." He also urged foreign forces to support government forces in launching a ground operation against the Houthis in conjunction with the strikes.[118]
Houthi movement
Protests in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, in the aftermath of the missile strikes
Houthi deputy foreign minister Hussein al-Izzi called the attacks "blatant aggression" and said the US and UK would "pay a heavy price" in an interview with Al-Masirah.[3] Similarly, high-ranking Houthi official Ali al-Qahoum vowed there would be retaliation.[1] Mohammed Abdulsalam, a spokesman for the group, announced that the Houthis would continue to target Israeli ships or any ships heading to "the ports of occupied Palestine," saying that the US and UK were wrong to think that the strikes "would deter Yemen from supporting Palestine and Gaza".[3]
Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a senior Houthi official, stated, "Every individual in this world is faced with two choices that have no third: Either to stand with the victims of genocide or to stand with its perpetrators."[119]
Following the initial strikes on 12 January, protests attended by hundreds of thousands of people were held in Sanaa and in other Houthi-controlled cities such as Hodeida and Ibb, to denounce the US and British military actions, with demonstrators chanting "Death to America" and "Death to Israel".[120]
Following China Ocean Shipping Company, the fourth largest shipping company, and its container shipping subsidiary OOCL stopping all services to Israel,[121] a senior Houthi official said Chinese and Russian vessels not connected with Israel will have safe passage.[122]
Participants
United States
Reactions from the US Congress were mixed, with some supporting the strikes and others condemning Biden for using military force without congressional approval. Some critics said that in accordance with Article 1 of the Constitution, Biden needed to seek authorization from Congress before initiating military action.[123] Under Article Two of the United States Constitution, the president has the limited authority to take defensive military action without Congressional approval, though supporters and opponents of the strikes disagree that the strikes can be considered defensive. Legal experts have argued that ambiguity in existing law allows for Congress to place limits on the president's authority to take military action without its approval.[124] Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell welcomed the action but said the president's decision was overdue.[123] Biden said that he has sent a message to Iran with the Yemen strikes.[125]
Joe Biden stated that the "defensive action follows this extensive diplomatic campaign and Houthi rebels' escalating attacks against commercial vessels" and added that he would "not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary".[126] Following the airstrike on 13 January, Biden said that the US had sent a "private message" to Iran regarding the Houthis.[127]
On 17 January, the Biden administration restored the Houthi movement to its list of Specially Designated Global Terrorist entities, but did not redesignate it as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.[129]
According to a survey conducted by the Harvard CAPS–Harris Poll on 17-18 January 2024, 74% of American respondents supported strikes against the Houthis in Yemen.[130]
United Kingdom
Rishi Sunak said that the strikes stemmed from the principle of self-defense. He also confirmed that the UK received non-operational assistance and support from the Netherlands, Canada, and Bahrain.[2][131]
According to a YouGov poll conducted on 15-16 January 2024, 53% of British respondents supported the government's decision to launch strikes against the Houthis in Yemen, while 22% opposed.[133]
Other countries
Albania: Defense Minister Niko Peleshi said that Albania supported the reaction of its the US and UK against the Houthis, calling the latter's attacks in the Red Sea "destabilizing, illegal and unjustified".[134]
Australia: Defence Minister Richard Marles said to reporters the decision to launch the strikes "was not taken lightly",[135] saying that the action taken was about "maintaining freedom of navigation on the high seas".[136] The Australian Greens party condemned the ruling government, stating that support for US and British strikes amounted to "a dangerous escalation at a time for peace".[137]
Belgium: Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib expressed support for the strikes, saying that Belgium was "working with its EU partners and US ally to restore maritime security in the region and avoid any spillover."[138]
Canada: Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly and Defence Minister Bill Blair endorsed the attacks, with both of them stating the strikes were "consistent with the UN Charter".[139]
China: Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning urged restraint.[140] UN ambassador Zhang Jun said the Security Council had not authorised the use of force in Yemen, adding that the strikes "not only caused infrastructure destruction and civilian casualties, but have also resulted in heightened security risks in the Red Sea."[141][142]
Cyprus: Foreign Ministry spokesman Theodoros Gotsis said that the Cypriot government was in "constant communication with the UK" within the framework set by the Treaty of Establishment regarding the use of British military bases in the country. He also called for an "immediate end to all actions that threaten free and safe navigation", given the country's "significant maritime footprint" in the region. The Cyprus Peace Council said British participation in the airstrikes in Yemen was turning Cyprus into a "war base" and announced plans to hold a demonstration outside the RAF Akrotiri base on 14 January.[143]
Egypt: The Foreign Ministry expressed "deep concern" over the escalation of military operations in the Red Sea and air strikes in Yemen, and has also called for "uniting" international and regional efforts to reduce instability in the region.[144]
France: Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné reaffirmed France's condemnation of Houthi strikes on commercial vessels, stating that "with those armed actions, the Houthis bear the extremely serious responsibility of the escalation in the region".[144] However, the French government did not express support for the US and UK air strikes.[145]
Germany: Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed the German government's political support for the military strike, and said it was carried out "in accordance with the individual and collective right to self-defense of the United Nations Charter".[146]
Japan: Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kobayashi Maki stated that Japan supported "the determination of the United States and relevant countries to fulfill its responsibility in ensuring the free and safe navigation of vessels".[147]
Italy: The Presidency of the Council of Ministers confirmed it "supports the operations of allied nations, which have the right to defend their vessels, in the interest of global trade flows and humanitarian assistance."[148]
Iran: The Foreign Ministry condemned the strikes as a "clear violation of Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity" and a violation of international laws.[3]
Kosovo: Foreign Affairs Minister Donika Gërvalla stated "the Republic of Kosovo fully supports the proportional military actions of our international partners" against the Houthis, adding that Kosovo "as a deeply democratic country, clearly aligns itself with its strategic partners in joint efforts to maintain peace and security in the world."[149]
Netherlands: Prime Minister Mark Rutte expressed support for the attacks, stating "the US-British action is based on the right of self-defence, aims to protect free passage and is focused on de-escalation."[144]
New Zealand: Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins expressed support for the strikes, with Peters stating that the "strikes support international security and trade, on which New Zealanders rely". Collins remarked that the strikes were "a good example of the international community uniting to address a serious threat to international security".[150] On 23 January 2024, six New Zealand Defence Force personnel were deployed to the Middle East to help provide maritime security in the Red Sea including "precision targeting."[151] The opposition Labour and Green parties criticised the deployment, citing the lack of a United Nations mandate and claiming it would inflame tensions.[152]
Oman: Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi said the attack went against his country's advice and that it would only add fuel to an extremely dangerous situation. State media reported that the Omani government denounced the military action from "friendly countries".[144]
Russia: Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova condemned the attack.[153] Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the strikes "illegitimate" under international law but also called on the Houthis to stop attacking commercial vessels, which he described as "extremely wrong".[154]
Syria: The Foreign Ministry condemned the air strikes, stating that it was a "desperate attempt to divert the attention of world public opinion from the war crimes committed by Israel against the Palestinian people".[156]
Turkey: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan accused the United Kingdom of attempting to make the region surrounding the Red Sea "a sea of blood".[157]
Militant groups
Hamas: Senior official Sami Abu Zuhri said in a press statement that "the US-UK aggression against the Yemeni forces' sites provokes the entire nation and indicates the intention to expand the conflict zone beyond Gaza's boundaries, which has repercussions".[158]
Hezbollah: The Media Relation Office condemned "the blatant US-UK aggression against brotherly Yemen, its security and sovereignty".[159]
Palestinian Islamic Jihad: In a press statement, the group expressed support for the Houthis and argued that "this aggression comes as part of the US and UK military aid to Israel and proves that the US administration is the one responsible for the Israeli genocidal war against the Palestinian people in Gaza".[158]
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine: In a statement the group condemned the strikes against Yemen and stated that the "Evil coalition's malicious goals are not to protect maritime navigation in the Red Sea, but rather to protect the security of the Zionist entity."[160]
Islamic Resistance in Iraq: Prior to the strikes, the IRI said that if Yemen is attacked by the US and UK, "we will attack the Americans' base with everything in our power".[161] After the initial airstrikes, there were reports of a bomb and sirens being heard at the US Embassy in Iraq.[162]
QatarEnergy, the world's second largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, suspended sending tankers through the Red Sea.[163][164] The LNG tankers were forced to sail around Africa via the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the war zone.[165]
Relief organizations
A joint statement by 26 humanitarian organizations operating in Yemen raised concerns that the military escalation "will only worsen the situation for vulnerable civilians and hinder the ability of aid organisations to deliver critical services." It also urged all parties "to prioritise diplomatic channels over military options to de-escalate the crisis and safeguard the progress of peace efforts in Yemen."[166]
Intergovernmental organizations
NATO: A spokesperson said "these strikes were defensive and designed to preserve freedom of navigation in one of the world's most vital waterways."[144]
United Nations: A spokesperson for Secretary-General António Guterres said that he called for all sides "not to escalate the situation in the interest of peace and stability in the Red Sea and the wider region."[144]
Notes
↑ An additional 10 killed before the start of the US-UK airstrikes.[10]
↑ 75 killed on 12–22 January,[12] 40 killed on 3–5 February,[13] 11 killed on 11 March.[14]
↑ Both Iran and the Houthi movement deny that Iran is involved or is backing the Houthis.[27]
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↑ "Goditja e lëvizjes Houthi në Jemen, Peleshi: Shqipëria në krah të aleatëve!"[The strike of the Houthi movement in Yemen, Peleshi: Albania on the side of allies!]. RTSH (in Albanian). 12 January 2024. "Ne mbështesim Rezolutën 2722 të miratuar nga Këshilli i Sigurimit i OKB-së dhe qëndrimin e përbashkët për fundin e menjëhershëm të sulmeve të paligjshme të Houthi-ve, të cilat minojnë rendin ndërkombëtar, ekonominë globale dhe rrjedhën e lirë të tregtisë nga sulmet e paprecedentë, destabilizuese, të paligjshme dhe të pajustifikueshme të Houthi-ve kundër anijeve detare ndërkombëtare në Detin e Kuq" shkruhet në reagimin e Ministrisë së Mbrojtjes.
↑ "美军发动第二轮袭击, 也门胡塞武装: 没损失, 将有力反击". Toutiao. 14 January 2024. Archived from the original on 31 January 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024. 中国常驻联合国代表张军表示, 有关国家对也门悍然采取的军事行动不仅造成基础设施破坏和平民伤亡, 也加剧了红海水域的安全风险, 无助于保护商船安全和航行自由, 有关军事行动还可能冲击也门政治进程.我们看不出这样的军事行动如何能够实现所宣称的预期目标.中方指出, 安理会从未授权任何国家对也门使用武力.
↑ Collins, Judith; Peters, Winston (12 January 2024). "NZ support for strikes against Houthis". www.beehive.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. Archived from the original on 13 January 2024. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
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