U.S. and Coalition Forces Escalate Retaliatory Strikes Against Iran-Backed Militant Groups, Expanding Operations to Yemeni Houthi Targets
Key Facts:
- Retaliatory strikes for the Tower 22 attack began on Friday night, targeting over 85 Iran-backed militant positions in Iraq and Syria, resulting in an estimated 40 casualties.
- On Saturday night, at approximately 11:30 p.m. local time, U.S. and coalition forces executed additional air strikes, hitting 36 Houthi targets in Yemen, including underground storage facilities, command and control centers, missile systems, UAV storage and operations sites, radars, and helicopters.
- Around 4 a.m. on Sunday, U.S. forces in the Red Sea intercepted an anti-ship cruise missile launched by Houthi forces on the mainland, described as an “imminent threat” to U.S. Navy and merchant vessels in the region.
National Security Advisor’s Statement:
- National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, speaking on Meet the Press, emphasized that these strikes against the Houthis are part of the response to the Tower 22 attack, and hinted that the weekend’s actions are not the conclusion of the response.
Casualties and Houthi Response:
- The Houthis have not confirmed casualties resulting from the recent airstrikes. However, their spokesperson, Yahya Sarea, linked their Red Sea campaign to the conflict in Gaza and pledged retaliation against coalition forces.
Additional Context:
- Since the Tower 22 attack, the U.S. has conducted airstrikes on Iran-backed militias in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. While no strikes have occurred within Iran itself, Sullivan did not rule out that option, stating the president is determined to respond forcefully to attacks but not seeking a wider war in the Middle East.
Background:
- The Houthis initiated a campaign targeting what they consider Israel-linked vessels in the Red Sea after the Israel-Hamas conflict began on October 7. In response, the U.S. launched Operation Prosperity Guardian to patrol the region. The recent strikes come over three weeks after the first U.S. airstrikes on the Houthis in January.