New wave of US attacks launched on Yemen

On Wednesday night, the United States reportedly carried out a fresh series of attacks against alleged militant targets in Yemen.

These strikes were launched from US Navy ships stationed in the Red Sea and targeted locations that were believed to be ready to launch attacks. According to unnamed US officials, over a dozen sites were hit in the missile salvo.

This operation came shortly after the Houthi rebel group was designated as a terrorist organization by Washington. Earlier on the same day, the Houthi rebels had attacked a US-owned bulk carrier ship in the Gulf of Aden. The spokesman for the militant group claimed that they had successfully hit the cargo vessel.

The US Central Command stated that there were no injuries and the ship remained seaworthy, although some damage was reported. This attack on the cargo vessel follows a series of similar strikes in recent weeks, as the Houthis had vowed to target any ship associated with Israel due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The US has responded with previous rounds of missile strikes on Houthi targets and the redesignation of the group as a terrorist organization.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the importance of holding the Houthis accountable for their actions, while also highlighting the need to protect Yemeni civilians. In a statement, Blinken acknowledged that steps must be taken to mitigate any negative consequences that may arise from this designation.

However, he also mentioned that the decision could be reversed if the Houthis ceased their attacks on ships in the Red Sea. It is worth noting that the group had previously been included in the Foreign Terrorist Organization list during the administration of President Donald Trump, but were subsequently removed from the list in February 2021.