Yemen’s Houthi forces launched a missile attack on the U.S. aircraft carrier Eisenhower in the Red Sea. This was in response to U.S. and British military strikes on Yemen, according to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree on Friday.
The strikes by the U.S. and British forces killed 16 people and wounded 41 others, including civilians, Saree stated in a televised address.
The Houthi spokesperson detailed that the strikes in Hodeidah province targeted the port of Salif, a radio building in Al-Hawk district, Ghalifa camp, and two residential houses.
U.S. and British military officials confirmed the strikes, stating they aimed to deter the Houthi group from disrupting shipping activities in the Red Sea. According to the U.S. Central Command, the joint operation struck 13 targets in Houthi-controlled regions of Yemen.
The British Defence Ministry specified that the operation focused on three locations in Hodeidah, targeting facilities believed to house drones and surface-to-air weapons.
The British Defence Ministry emphasised the careful planning of the strikes to minimise risks to civilians and non-military infrastructure. They noted that conducting the strikes during the hours of darkness was intended to further reduce such risks.
Houthi spokesperson Mohamed Abdelsalam condemned the strikes as a “brutal aggression” against Yemen, framing them as retribution for Yemen’s support of Gaza.
Iran, an ally of the Houthis, denounced the strikes as violations of Yemen’s sovereignty, international laws, and human rights. Iranian state media quoted Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani, who held the U.S. and British governments responsible for the consequences of these actions.
The Houthis, controlling Yemen’s capital and other populous areas, have been attacking international shipping in the Red Sea since November.
These actions are in solidarity with Palestinians amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict. The attacks have led to retaliatory strikes by the U.S. and British forces since February.
With Inputs From Reuters
