Latest Offensive Against Houthi Military Assets in Yemen Launched by the United States: Live Updates

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The United States military conducted airstrikes in Yemen on Thursday, targeting a ground control station and destroying 10 drones in areas controlled by the Houthi rebels. This operation is part of a series of actions aimed at Houthi assets following their attacks on commercial and Navy ships in the Red Sea.

According to a statement from U.S. Central Command, the strikes were carried out in self-defense as the targeted assets posed an imminent threat to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the area. The goal is to safeguard freedom of navigation and enhance the safety of international waters for both U.S. Navy vessels and merchant ships.

Subsequently, Central Command reported thwarting a Houthi drone over the Gulf of Aden and intercepting an explosive sea drone heading towards the Red Sea’s international shipping lane. Additionally, two Houthi missiles, seemingly aimed at a cargo ship, missed their target and fell into the water.

The Houthi rebels initiated a campaign targeting Red Sea shipping lanes in mid-November, leading to diversions for cargo vessels and increased shipping costs. The Houthi attacks are stated to be in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, who have faced Israeli military actions in response to Hamas assaults on October 7.

Joint U.S.-U.K. attacks on Houthi military targets began on January 11, following repeated warnings. However, the rebels have persisted in their actions. Recent events include the destruction of a Houthi missile ready to launch and another fired projectile, which narrowly missed the USS Gravely.

In related developments:

  • Israeli airstrikes were reported across Gaza on Thursday, targeting a Hamas compound in the north, eliminating militants in central Gaza, and destroying a long-range missile launcher in Khan Younis.
  • European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell announced plans for a naval mission in the Red Sea within the next three weeks to defend commercial ships against Houthi attacks.
  • Over 100 Palestinians previously detained in Israel were released into Gaza on Thursday, according to CNN, citing the Gaza Crossings Authority.

Meanwhile, in response to escalating violence in the West Bank, President Joe Biden imposed financial sanctions on four Israeli settlers involved in attacks on Palestinians. The sanctioned individuals are barred from entering the U.S., and U.S. citizens are prohibited from contributing funds or services to them.

Regarding the drone attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. service members, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin revealed plans for a “multitiered” response. The likely perpetrator, Kataib Hezbollah, is part of a group of Iran-backed militias known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq.

Israel’s continued demolition of buildings along the Gaza border, aiming to establish a buffer zone, has faced objections from the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken affirmed the U.S.’s non-support for any reduction in Gaza’s territory.

Amidst these events, Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), warned of a potential shutdown by the end of February due to halted funding. The U.S. and several other nations suspended funding after allegations that UNRWA employees participated in the October 7 Hamas attack.

A preliminary U.N. assessment suggests that even with immediate reconstruction efforts, it may take 70 years for Gaza’s GDP per capita to return to prewar levels. The war has led to a 24% decline in Gaza’s annual GDP, causing long-term economic challenges.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to make his fifth trip to the Middle East, focusing on hostage release negotiations, postwar Gaza governance, and increased aid for the region. The negotiations involve mediating between Israel and Hamas, with concerns growing over the potential for a broader conflict.

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