Houthis Claim 11 Militants Killed and Wounded in US and UK Attacks

Yemeni Houthis announced on Friday, January 12, that at least 5 of their forces were killed and 6 wounded following attacks by the US and UK on their positions. In a statement published on the messaging platform 'X' by Yahya Saree, 'spokesman for the armed forces of Yemen,' it was reported that US and UK forces conducted 73 attacks on Yemen, including in Sana'a, the capital, and the provinces of Hudaydah, Taiz, Hajjah, and Saada. The statement emphasized that the Houthis will continue to support the militant group Hamas and will prevent the movement of Israeli ships or those heading to its ports. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Friday that US forces, in coordination with the UK and supported by Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and Bahrain, carried out joint attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen early Friday to 'reduce their ability to continue their illegal attacks on American and international ships and commercial vessels in the Red Sea.' The statement noted that the attacks on Houthi targets occurred at 2:30 AM on Friday, targeting radar systems, air defense systems, and warehouses and launch sites. CENTCOM pointed out that Iranian-backed Houthis have attempted to attack 27 ships in international shipping lanes since October 17 of this year. According to the statement, in these 'illegal' attacks, anti-ship ballistic missiles, drones, and cruise missiles were used in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. President Joe Biden described the purpose of the attacks on Houthi positions as 'ensuring freedom of navigation in one of the world's most critical waterways' and stated: 'These attacks are a direct response to the unprecedented attacks by the Houthis against international maritime vessels, including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history in the Red Sea.' Additionally, CENTCOM's commander stated that the Houthis and their Iranian destabilizing supporters are responsible for 'illegal, reckless, and indiscriminate attacks on international shipping routes in the region.' General Michael Eric Kurilla noted that these attacks have affected '55 countries, endangering the lives of hundreds of sailors, including American sailors.' He emphasized that the Houthis' 'illegal and dangerous actions' will not be tolerated and they will be held accountable. The US Air Force targeted 60 military Houthi objectives in Yemen. The Islamic Republic criticized the US and UK attacks on Houthi positions in Yemen. The coalition's airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen; Saudi Arabia called for restraint. There is widespread support among American lawmakers for the attacks by the US and its allies against the Houthis; it was a necessary response to ongoing attacks. A senior Biden administration official stated that the Islamic Republic has always been a supporter of the Houthis, or rather their main supporter. The UK's statement regarding the attack on Houthi positions; insecurity in international waterways is intolerable.