The U.S. and British militaries launched coordinated retaliatory strikes on Monday night in Yemen. These strikes, the second of their kind, targeted missile-launching capabilities of the Iranian-backed Houthis at eight different locations. Alongside the U.S. and British forces, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands contributed to the operation, providing intelligence and surveillance.
The aimed to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, but also issued a warning to Houthi leadership. They vowed to not hesitate to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in the face of continued threats. Fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier conducted the strikes, with other ships including the USS Gravely, USS Mason, and the USS Philippine Sea. These strikes mark the eighth time the United States has targeted Houthi sites since January 12.
The Houthis continue to attack ships in the region, despite warnings and retaliatory strikes. Although the allies have reported degrading Houthi capabilities from the strikes, it is evident that the retaliatory strikes have not deterred the Houthis from their ongoing campaign against Red Sea shipping. This could be an indication that a broader regional war that the United States has been attempting to avoid is moving closer to reality.