The coalition led by the US and UK struck 36 targets belonging to the Iran-backed Houthi militia in 13 different locations, including in Yemen's capital, Sana'a, on Saturday night, the coalition said in a joint statement.
Along with the sites targeted in Sana'a, targets were hit in the Al-Barah and Hayfan districts, and in Hajjah, Dhamar, and al-Bayda, according to the Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah news.
فيديو | قبل قليل.. قصف العدوان الأمريكي البريطاني على العاصمة اليمنية #صنعاء #اليمن_سند_فلسطين pic.twitter.com/tJ5dY0JVNm
— احمد فوزي - Ahmed Faozi (@AFYemeni) February 3, 2024
Footage reportedly from the scene showed repeated explosions in several locations around Sana'a.
The strikes were carried out by the US and UK with support from Australia, Bahrain, Denmark, Canada, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. The coalition noted that the precision strikes targeted sites associated with the Houthis underground weapons storage facilities, missile systems and launchers, air defense systems, and radars.
The coalition stressed that the strikes are "intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities that the Houthis use to threaten global trade, and the lives of innocent mariners, and are in a response to a series of illegal, dangerous, and destabilizing Houthi actions."
The Houthis have conducted over 30 attacks on commercial and naval vessels since mid-November, according to the coalition.
"Recognizing the broad consensus of the international community, our coalition of likeminded countries committed to upholding the rules-based order has continued to grow," noted the coalition. "We remain committed to protecting freedom of navigation and international commerce and holding the Houthis accountable for their illegal and unjustifiable attacks on commercial shipping and naval vessels."
The coalition stressed that it aims to "de-escalate tensions and restore stability" but warned that "we will not hesitate to continue to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world's most critical waterways in the face of continued threats."
The UK Defense Ministry stated that Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s, supported by Voyager tankers, used Paveway IV precision guided bombs against several Houthi targets at three locations, including As Salif, Al Munirah, and Bani.
At As Salif, west of Sanaa, the RAF targeted a ground control station used to control Houthi drones. At Al Munirah, a second drone ground control station was targeted. In Bani, a significant number of targets were hit, including buildings involved in the houthi drone and missile operations.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated after the strikes that "this collective action sends a clear message to the Houthis that they will continue to bear further consequences if they do not end their illegal attacks on international shipping and naval vessels."
In response to the airstrikes, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthi's political bureau posted on X that "Our military operations against the Zionist entity will continue until the aggression against Gaza stops, no matter what sacrifices it costs us. We will meet escalation with escalation."
US strikes Houthi anti-ship missiles, intercepts drones
The airstrikes came just a few hours after US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that they had targeted six Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.
CENTCOM stressed that the missiles presented an "imminent threat" to US Navy ships and merchant vessels. "This action will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US Navy and merchant vessels," said CENTCOM.
Earlier on Saturday, the USS Carney shot down a UAV over the Gulf of Aden and CENTCOM conducted strikes against four Houthi UAVs prepared for launch. Additionally, the USS Laboon and F/A-18s from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group shot down seven UAVs over the Red Sea.
Early on Sunday morning, CENTCOM announced that it struck a Houthi anti-ship cruise missile prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.