U.S. Strikes Houthi Radar Site to Protect Commercial Shipping

The U.S. military has taken decisive action in Yemen to safeguard commercial shipping in the Red Sea. After a U.S.-led coalition launched attacks on Houthi rebel targets, the U.S. launched a strike on a Houthi-controlled radar site using Tomahawk land attack missiles.

Operation to Protect Maritime Vessels

In a statement by U.S. Central Command, the strike against the radar site was described as a follow-on action to previous strikes that aimed to degrade the Houthi's ability to attack maritime vessels, including commercial ships. The first day of strikes involved British forces and received support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands. Together, they targeted at least 28 Houthi rebel sites.

The Red Sea Shutdown

The shutdown of the Red Sea by the Houthis has major implications for global shipping, impacting approximately 15% of all shipments, including oil and liquefied natural gas. As a result, oil prices experienced a temporary surge, reaching above $80 a barrel on Friday before settling lower. The international benchmark, Brent crude, closed at $78.32 a barrel.

Commitment to Ensuring Security

President Biden made it clear that further military action would be taken if the Houthi rebels persisted with their attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The protection of people and the unobstructed flow of international commerce remain top priorities for the United States.

Future Threats Anticipated

Despite the strike on their radar site, the Houthis remain undeterred and have indicated that more attacks in the Red Sea are imminent. According to Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul Salam, these attacks serve as retaliation for Israel’s actions in Gaza.

With this decisive action in Yemen, the United States is committed to defending commercial shipping and ensuring the continuity of global trade.