U.S. President Joe Biden has labeled the Yemeni group Ansar Allah, known as the Houthis, as a terrorist organization, threatening to respond if they continue their current behavior, he stated. In retaliation, the Houthi Supreme Political Council has declared all American and British interests legitimate targets in response to attacks carried out against Yemeni sites in the early hours of Friday morning.
Biden announced in a message to Congress that the U.S. and British strikes targeted facilities in Yemen he described as enabling Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
In his message, the American President stressed that the strikes were carried out in a manner aimed at minimizing risks of escalation and avoiding civilian casualties. He pointed out that he ordered this military action in accordance with his responsibilities to protect Americans at home and abroad, and to reinforce national security and foreign policy interests.
Biden added that the strikes were executed with the intent to deter and weaken the Houthi's ability to launch future attacks. He clarified that the United States stands ready to take further action as necessary to counter any threats or attacks.
The President also affirmed that the U.S. took this necessary and proportionate action in compliance with international law and in exercising its right to self-defense as stipulated in the United Nations Charter.
Early on Friday morning, the United States and Britain conducted airstrikes targeting various sites in Yemen. Al Jazeera's correspondent reported that the strikes hit the al-Dailami air base north of the capital Sanaa, the vicinity of Hodeidah International Airport to the west, Kahlān camp in Saada to the north, Abs airport in Hajjah governorate to the northwest, and the al-Janad area in the north of Taiz governorate to the south.
Houthi-affiliated media outlets reported that the strikes targeted Taiz airport and the 22nd Brigade camp in the Taiziya district north of Taiz.
Houthi Threat
Meanwhile, the Houthi group vowed to respond to the U.S. and British airstrikes. A statement from the Supreme Council of Ansar Allah Houthi said, "All American and British interests have become legitimate targets for the Yemeni armed forces in response to their direct and declared aggression against the Republic of Yemen."
Hussein al-Ezzi, the Houthi Deputy Foreign Minister, also threatened retaliation, saying, "America and Britain must prepare to pay a heavy price."
General Douglas Sims, Director of Operations at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters that the Houthis launched an anti-ship ballistic missile on Friday in response to the strikes but did not hit any ship. He indicated a strong rhetoric from the Houthis and expected them to attempt some form of retaliatory response.
Assessment of the extent of the damage from the strikes, targeting approximately 30 locations using more than 150 projectiles, is ongoing, according to Sims, who added that the number of casualties was not expected to be high.
In solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which has been under an Israeli offensive supported by the U.S. since October 7, the Houthis have been targeting merchant ships in the Red Sea owned or operated by Israeli companies or transporting goods to and from Israel with missiles and drones.
In December last year, the United States deployed warships and formed an international coalition to protect maritime navigation in the region, through which 12% of world trade passes, following attacks on several passing ships at the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
