US attacks Houthi rebels again in Yemen Bullfighting returns to the world’s largest arena

The US again attacked a position of the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen on Saturday evening. The US military said the target was a Houthi radar system. The attack with Tomahawk cruise missiles was launched from the American destroyer “USS Carney”. It was said that it came after the military attack the previous day. Initially nothing was known about possible victims.

On Friday evening, the US and Britain, with the support of allies, carried out a comprehensive military strike against the Houthis in Yemen – in response to the Houthis’ repeated attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea. Nearly 30 Houthi positions were attacked, the Pentagon said. Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims, responsible for military operations at the Pentagon, said Friday that the review of the operation has not yet been completed. But he knows that the rebels’ capabilities have been weakened.

Houthis vowed retaliation

According to the Houthis, five members were killed on Friday evening. Six others were injured. The attacks hit the capital Sanaa and the provinces of Hudaida, Tais, Hajjah and Saada.

The Houthis vowed to retaliate and said they would continue their attacks on merchant ships allegedly linked to Israel in the Red Sea. The Pentagon said the Houthis fired at least one anti-ship ballistic missile at a merchant ship on Friday.

Since the outbreak of the Gaza war between Israel and the Islamist Hamas, the Houthis have repeatedly attacked ships with alleged Israeli connections in the Red Sea. Large shipping companies are increasingly avoiding the route. The Houthis also repeatedly attack Israel, which is more than 2,000 kilometers away, directly with drones and missiles.

The military strike was in response to the Houthis’ “illegal, dangerous and destabilizing” attacks on ships in the Red Sea and was based on the right to self-defense, said a joint statement from the alliance, which, in addition to the US, and Major -Britain, also includes the Netherlands and Canada, Bahrain and Australia.

10 percent of world trade travels through the Red Sea

About ten percent of all world trade passes through the Red Sea. The Suez Canal connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea and is the shortest sea route between Asia and Europe. The alternative route around the South African Cape of Good Hope extends transport by several days.

The latest developments fuel fears that the numerous tensions and violent clashes in the region could escalate into a larger conflict in the Middle East.

Moscow condemned the military attack by the US and its allies. Iran also criticized the approach and warned of increasing insecurity and instability in the region.

Yemen’s Shiite Houthi rebels have taken over large parts of the country’s north during their ongoing insurgency since 2014, including controlling the capital Sanaa. The rebels are backed by Shiite-majority Iran. (sda/dpa)