White House Confirms; America Strikes Houthi Targets Three Times on Friday

The Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council of the White House announced that the United States conducted three successful strikes against Houthi targets supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran in Yemen on Friday, January 29. John Kirby described these strikes as the fourth preemptive attack by the U.S. military against Houthi 'rocket launchers' in the past week, adding: 'I want to emphasize again that these actions were taken to defend and prevent the destructive actions of the Houthis, but they also help secure international waters for all passing vessels, including commercial ships.' The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced late Thursday that Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles at a U.S.-owned oil tanker, which landed in the water near the vessel, causing no damage or casualties. On Friday, January 22, the U.S., in collaboration with Britain and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, attacked 30 locations used by the Houthis in various regions of Yemen. Joe Biden stated that the purpose of these attacks was to 'ensure freedom of navigation in one of the world's most vital waterways,' adding: 'These attacks are a direct response to the unprecedented Houthi attacks on international maritime vessels, including the first-ever use of anti-ship ballistic missiles in the Red Sea.' The United Nations Security Council also issued a resolution on Wednesday, January 20, calling on the Iranian-backed Houthis to immediately cease attacks on shipping lines. The British newspaper Telegraph reported on January 20, citing its intelligence sources within Iran, that the Houthi group in Yemen has been trained at the 'Khamenei University of Marine Sciences and Technologies' in Zibakenar, Rasht, and that Ali Khamenei personally oversees their activities. On January 27, the U.S. announced that it would re-list the Houthi group as a terrorist organization. The Houthis promised maritime security in the Red Sea to Russia and China. The Iraqi Foreign Minister discussed the Iranian attacks with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Turkey. CENTCOM again targeted Houthi missile launchers; the U.S. stated that the attacks are defensive. India reported that it rescued 22 crew members of a U.S. ship after Houthi attacks. The U.S. again struck Houthi positions; CENTCOM claimed to have destroyed fourteen Houthi missiles ready for launch. Another commercial vessel was attacked in the Gulf of Aden. The U.S. stated that recent Iranian missile attacks violate the sovereignty of Iraq, Syria, and Pakistan. Commercial companies are concerned about the consequences of ongoing tensions in the Red Sea. The U.S. government has changed its position; it will again designate the Houthis as 'global terrorists.' Qatar stated that the best way to stop Houthi attacks is to end the war in Gaza.