Response to Houthi's Persistence in 'Destructive' Behavior and 'Threat of Retaliation'; The U.S. Targets This Group's Positions Again

After U.S. President Joe Biden stated on Friday that if the Houthis continue their destructive behavior in the Red Sea and threaten international shipping and global trade, they can be assured that we will respond again, the U.S. military attacked the positions of this group in Yemen early Saturday morning. The Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah TV reported that the United States and the United Kingdom targeted Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, in their attacks. However, CNN later reported that these new attacks were carried out solely by the United States without the presence of other U.S. allies. Citing an American official, the network stated that at least one radar facility used by the Houthis was targeted in the early morning attacks. The Associated Press also confirmed the attack on a Houthi-controlled base, stating that this base was a radar site that posed a risk to commercial ships in the Red Sea. Some news sources indicate that the early morning attacks were conducted from one of the U.S. Navy ships stationed in the Red Sea. On Friday morning, the United States, in cooperation with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, attacked at least 30 locations used by the Houthis in various parts of Yemen. Biden described the purpose of Friday's attacks on Houthi positions as 'ensuring freedom of navigation in one of the world's most vital waterways' and added, '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.' A Pentagon spokesperson stated that U.S. officials believe the Houthis' capabilities have been 'weakened' after the early morning attacks and that they are no longer able to repeat their combined attacks against commercial ships. Several U.S. congressional representatives also issued separate statements after Friday's attacks, expressing support for allied attacks against the Houthis in Yemen and emphasizing the need for a change in the U.S. government's strategy regarding global terrorism and the Islamic Republic of Iran. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had warned the Houthis and the Islamic Republic on Wednesday that the continued attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis on commercial shipping lines in the Red Sea would have 'consequences.' Additionally, the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday, with a majority vote, called on the Iran-backed Houthis to immediately cease attacks on shipping lines. Meanwhile, the British newspaper The Telegraph reported on Wednesday, citing its intelligence sources within Iran, that the Houthi group has been trained at the 'Khamenei University of Marine Sciences and Technologies' in Zibakenar, Rasht, and that Ali Khamenei personally oversees their activities. Biden: The Islamic Republic avoids conflict with the U.S.; we are not seeking a proxy war with Iran. A review of reactions to U.S. and British attacks on Houthi positions in Yemen. The British Maritime Security Organization: The Houthis mistakenly targeted a tanker carrying Russian oil. Major transportation companies welcomed the U.S. and British attacks on the Houthis; tankers changed their routes. Joe Biden confirmed the attack on Houthi positions in Yemen; the international community's response to this group was 'united and decisive.' The Houthis claim that 11 militants were killed and wounded in the U.S. and British attacks. The U.S. Air Force: 60 military targets of the Houthis in Yemen were attacked. The Islamic Republic criticized the U.S. and British attacks on Houthi positions in Yemen. The commander of CENTCOM stated that the Houthis and their Iranian supporters are responsible for illegal attacks in the region. Airstrikes by the coalition against the Houthis in Yemen; Saudi Arabia called for restraint.