Alongside a U.S.-led naval task force that includes British, French, and Spanish warships, the Washington Examiner can report that the United States and the United Kingdom have moved other sensitive air and naval assets near Yemen. These movements indicate preparation for possible strikes against Houthi forces in that country.
Closely aligned with and supported by Iran, the Yemen-based Houthis have in recent weeks launched several attacks on civilian shipping vessels in the Red Sea. These attacks have led numerous shipping and energy companies to divert their vessels around the southern tip of Africa, adding significant time and cost to their operations. Amid mass disruption to international shipping flowing through the Red Sea, London and Washington may have concluded that limited use of military force is required to target Houthi positions.
DECLINING SITUATION AT SOUTHERN BORDER UPS ANTE ON SENATE IMMIGRATION TALKS
The Washington Examiner is not disclosing the identity of the military forces now positioned closer to Yemen, but they include both strike and supporting platforms the deployment of which has not publicly been disclosed. It is public knowledge that the Eisenhower carrier strike group is operating off the Yemeni coast. Its embarked carrier air wing includes four F/A-18 fighter squadrons and an electronic warfare squadron. Other U.S. Air Force combat aircraft are also close by. It is also public knowledge that Britain's Royal Air Force also has several Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets stationed out of a base in Cyprus. It is unclear whether France would join in any strikes against the Houthis, but it also has limited forces positioned to do so.
Top line: It is increasingly likely that the U.S. and U.K. will carry out strikes against Houthi targets inside Yemen in the coming days.