The strikes were launched right before midnight local time, U.S. Central Command said. Between 25 and 30 precision-guided munitions, including Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles, were used in the attack that involved U.S. Navy and British Armed Forces fighter jets, among other assets, and which hit "multiple targets" at the eight locations under the Houthis' control, a senior military official told reporters in a briefing on the strikes.
Among the targets hit include a Houthi underground storage site as well as locations associated with the Houthis' missile and air surveillance capabilities.
"We do assess that the strike was successful and achieved the desired effect of removing these capabilities from the Houthis," the official said.
It is the eight round of attacks by the U.S. military since its first retaliatory strike on Jan. 11.
"Our aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, but let us reiterate our warning to Houthi leadership: we will not hesitate to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world's most critical waterways in the face of continued threats," the United States and Britain along with Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands, which provided support in Monday's attack, said in a joint statement.
The U.S.-led strikes seek to deter the Houthis from its continued attacks on commercial shipping vessels transiting the important trade route of the Red Sea.
According to the senior defense official, the Houthis have launched attacks on at least 33 ships since Nov. 19 with anti-ship and close-range ballistic missiles, land attack cruise missiles and drones.
Among the attacks include a New York-bound ship with 16 million gallons of jet fuel and a Japan-owned vessel, which the Houthis seized along with its crew.
The attacks have also led to 14 shipping companies to cease Red Sea operations, the senior defense official said.
The Houthis have vowed to attack ships transiting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in response to Israel's war in Gaga against Hamas, another Iran proxy militia.
Following the U.S.-led strike, the Houthis said they won't be deterred.
"Your strikes will only make the Yemeni people stronger and more determined to confront you," Houthi leader Mohamed Ali al-Houthi said in a statement on X.
"The Americans and British must understand that we are in a time of response and that our people do not know how to surrender."
The strike on Monday occurred after President Joe Biden spoke on the phone with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of Britain. According to a White House readout of the conversation, the two leaders discussed the continued Red Sea attacks, and reiterated "their commitment to freedom of navigation, international commerce and defending mariners from illegal and unjustifiable attacks."
U.S. Navy identifies SEALs lost at sea during seizure of Houthi-bound weapons
Washington DC (UPI) Jan 22, 2024 -
The U.S. Navy on Monday identified two SEALs who went missing earlier this month in waters off the coast of Somalia during a mission that resulted in the seizure of a ship transporting weapons from Iran to Houthi militants in Yemen.
The men were declared dead Sunday by U.S. Central Command as it announced the end of the 10-day search-and-rescue operation for them and the start or the recovery mission.
The SEALs were identified Monday as Special Operator 1st Class Christopher Chambers and Special Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram. They had been assigned to a West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit.
"We extend our condolences to Chris and Gage's families, friends, and teammates during this incredibly challenging time," Capt. Blake Chaney, commander of Naval Special Warfare Group 1, said in a statement.
"They were exceptional warriors, cherished teammates, and dear friends to many within the Naval Special Warfare community."
Chambers and Gage went missing Jan. 11 during the night seizure of a ship transporting advanced weaponry, including Iran-made ballistic missiles and cruise missile components, from Tehran to its proxy Houthi militia in Yemen.
U.S., Japanese and Spanish assets scoured more than 21,000 square miles before calling off the search for them.
President Joe Biden mourned their deaths Monday in a statement.
"These SEALs represented the very best of our country, pledging their lives to protect their fellow Americans," the president said.
"Our hearts go out to the family members, loved ones, friends, and shipmates who are grieving for these two brave Americans. Our entire country stands with you. We will never fail to honor their service, their legacy, and their sacrifice."
The incident, which remains under investigation, occurred as the Houthis have been launching attacks at commercial shipping vessels transiting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden amid Israel's war in Gaza against another Iran proxy militia, Hamas.
The Houthis have vowed to attack all Israel-bound ships, but have since widened to scope of their attacks to seemingly all vessels in the region.
The United States has responded with strikes targeting Houthi assets, including on Monday.
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