The US and British militaries struck more than a dozen Houthi targets in Yemen on Friday, going after weapons systems, bases and other equipment belonging to the Iranian-backed rebels, US officials confirmed.
Military aircraft and warships bombed Houthi strongholds at roughly five locations, according to the officials.
Houthi media said seven strikes hit the airport in Hodeida, a major port city, and the Katheib area, which has a Houthi-controlled military base. Four more strikes hit the Seiyana area in Sanaa, the capital, and two strikes hit the Dhamar province. The Houthi media office also reported three air raids in Bayda province, southeast of Sanaa.
There was no immediate comment from the United States or Britain and the Houthi-run outlets did not elaborate on any damage or casualties.
The strikes come just days after the Houthis threatened “escalating military operations” targeting Israel since apparently shooting down a US military drone flying over Yemen. And just last week, the group claimed responsibility for an attack targeting American warships.
The rebels fired more than a half dozen ballistic missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles and two drones at three US ships that were traveling through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, all of which were intercepted by the Navy destroyers, according to several US officials.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet publicly released.
Houthis have targeted more than 80 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the Hamas onslaught on Israel last October started the war in Gaza, saying the attacks are a show of support for Palestinians. They have seized one vessel and sunk two in the campaign that has also killed four sailors.
Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by a US-led coalition in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets, which have included Western military vessels.
The group has maintained that they target ships linked to Israel, the US or the United Kingdom to force an end to Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the conflict, including some bound for Iran.
In addition to attacking ships, the Houthis have targeted Israel directly with missiles and drones, including a drone attack early Thursday targeting the center of the country.
In response to the latest ballistic missile attacks, the Israeli Air Force conducted airstrikes on infrastructure in western Yemen earlier this week that the military said was used by the Houthis.