US Conducts Another Airstrike on Houthi Rebels in Yemen

The United States has launched a second attack on Houthi targets in Yemen, following a strike on Friday. The latest operation targeted a Houthi radar site and was described by the US as a "follow-on action". The Houthis have vowed to respond strongly but confirmed no injuries were reported. This comes after weeks of Houthi attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea. A joint UK-US airstrike, with support from Western allies, targeted nearly 30 Houthi positions. The US Central Command used Tomahawk missiles for its latest strike, aiming to degrade the Houthi's ability to target maritime vessels. Houthi spokesmen have downplayed the impact of the strikes, asserting that they will not hinder their ability to prevent Israel-affiliated ships from passing through the region. The US Central Command has reported that the Houthis have attempted to attack and harass vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden 28 times since November 19. Protests have erupted in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, following the initial strikes, with demonstrators expressing their solidarity with Palestinians and denouncing the US. The increased tensions regarding strikes in Yemen have raised concerns about destabilizing the Middle East. However, both the US and UK affirm that their actions are intended to protect shipping routes and are unrelated to the Israel-Gaza conflict. The Red Sea is a crucial maritime passage, with approximately 15% of global seaborne trade passing through it, including significant amounts of oil, gas, and grain. The threat posed by the Houthis has led several major shipping companies to cease operations in the region, and insurance costs have surged as a result. The UK and US have supported Israel following the attacks by Hamas, which started on October 7, resulting in many casualties. In response to the conflict, the Houthis declared their support for Hamas and began targeting ships they believed were heading to Israel or had Israeli connections. The Houthis are an armed group representing Yemen's Zaidi sub-sect of Shia Muslims, and they control large parts of the country, including Sanaa and the Red Sea coastline. Yemen's official government is the Presidential Leadership Council, based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi fled there in 2015. The majority of Yemen's population resides in areas under Houthi control.