U.S. and British again strike Houthi-linked targets in Yemen

The United States and Britain carried out another round of large-scale military strikes Saturday against multiple sites in Yemen controlled by Houthi militants, U.S. officials said.

The strikes were intended to degrade the Iran-backed militants' ability to attack ships in sea lanes that are critical for global trade, a campaign they have carried out for almost four months.

U.S. and British warplanes hit missile systems and launchers and other targets, the officials said. Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands and New Zealand provided support for the operation, according to a joint statement from the countries involved that was emailed to reporters by the Defense Department.

The strikes, which the statement called “necessary and proportionate,” hit 18 targets across eight locations in Yemen associated with Houthi underground weapons storage facilities, missile storage facilities, one-way attack unmanned aerial systems, air defense systems, radars and a helicopter.

“These precision strikes are intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities that the Houthis use to threaten global trade, naval vessels, and the lives of innocent mariners in one of the world's most critical waterways,” the statement said.

Earlier Saturday, the naval destroyer USS Mason shot down what U.S. Central Command said was an anti-ship ballistic missile launched from Yemen into the Gulf of Aden.

The Houthis say their attacks are a protest against Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which was launched in response to attacks by Hamas in Israel on Oct. 7.

The U.S.-led retaliatory air and naval strikes against Houthi targets began last month.

“The Houthis' now more than 45 attacks on commercial and naval vessels since mid-November constitute a threat to the global economy, as well as regional security and stability, and demand an international response,” Saturday's statement from the U.S.-led coaliton said.