Aerial footage shows moment RAF Typhoon strikes Yemen military target
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A US fighter aircraft has intercepted and destroyed an anti-ship cruise missile launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen towards the USS Laboon destroyer in the Red Sea, according to the US Central Command.
The incident occurred off the coast of Hodeidah, a port city in the west of Yemen whose international airport was targeted in joint US-UK airstrikes last week.
Earlier, US officials warned the Houthis still had the capacity to launch missiles despite major airstrikes against nearly 30 locations on Thursday and Friday.
The UK joined the US-led operation in hitting more than 60 missile and drone targets in response to the group targeting ships in the Red Sea.
But despite around 90 per cent of the targets being hit, two US officials warned on Sunday that the group retained about three-quarters of its ability to fire missiles and drones at vessels using the narrow strip of water.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the New York Times reported that the two officials said only about 20 to 30 per cent of the Houthis’ offensive capability had been destroyed.
They said the difficulty was that many of the Houthis’ offensive weapons were on mobile platforms and could be moved or hidden.
It comes as Lord Cameron warned Britain could strike Houthi targets again if the rebel group continued to attack ships in the Red Sea.
Key Points
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David Cameron raises prospect of further strikes in Yemen, warning Britain will follow ‘words with actions’
Tom Watling15 January 2024 10:14
Houthi rebels won’t be stopped by a single raid – we must hit them again
When it comes, the Iran-backed militia’s retaliation on the West will be defiant, to show the world they are undefeated, says General Sir Richard Barrons. It might also prove to be the next salvo in a wider conflict between global powers.
Tom Watling15 January 2024 09:40
Does the government need parliament’s approval to take military action?
Tony Blair secured approval from MPs for his Iraq invasion, but do prime ministers need to seek backing from parliament at all? Sean O’Grady looks at the precedents…
Tom Watling15 January 2024 09:10
Will the clash with the Houthi rebels lead to global conflict?
Would the US and the UK be prepared to put boots on the ground in Yemen (as Boris Johnson proposed)? Will a prolonged air campaign be enough to paralyse the Iran-backed Houthis? There are many difficult questions left to answer over the Middle East’s latest hotspot, warns Kim Sengupta.
Will the clash with the Houthi rebels lead to global conflict?
Would the US and the UK be prepared to put boots on the ground in Yemen (as Boris Johnson proposed)? Will a prolonged air campaign be enough to paralyse the Iran-backed Houthis? There are many difficult questions left to answer over the Middle East’s latest hotspot, warns Kim Sengupta
Tom Watling15 January 2024 08:40
Here are some of the latest photos from Yemen
Below are some of the latest photos from Yemen following US and UK airstrikes against the Houthi rebels holding positions in the west of the country.
Houthi fighters and tribesmen stage a rally against the US and the UK strikes on Houthi-run military sites near Sanaa, Yemen
(AP)
Houthi militiamen parade weapons on from the back of a pick up truck
(AP)
Houthi honor guard carries the coffins of the fighters killed in the US and UK air strikes during their funeral in Yemen
(AP)
Tom Watling15 January 2024 08:20
Houthi site damage before and after US-led airstrikes captured by satellite
New satellite images show the before and after of the Houthi sites hit by US-led airstrikes, which come as the group continually disrupt cargo in the Red Sea.
The Houthis claim to be targeting Red Sea vessels which are either owned by or heading to Israel, in support for Hamas in Gaza.
The group have already promised both the UK and US will face ‘retaliation’ for this week’s strikes, which they say has killed five and injured at least six.
Joe Biden has already said the US would “not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.”
Houthi site damage before and after US-led airstrikes captured by satellite
New satellite images show the before and after of the Houthi sites hit by US-led airstrikes, which come as the group continually disrupt cargo in the Red Sea. The Houthis claim to be targeting Red Sea vessels which are either owned by or heading to Israel, in support for Hamas in Gaza. The group have already promised both the UK and US will face ‘retaliation’ for this week’s strikes, which they say has killed five and injured at least six. Joe Biden has already said the US would “not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.”
Tom Watling15 January 2024 08:00
Rishi Sunak to deliver statement on Houthi strikes today
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to address MPs in the House of Commons today following military strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen last Thursday.
Sunak came under fire from some MPs after he joined the US in military action in the Red Sea without consultation with parliament.
He is now expected to deliver an oral statement to MPs this afternoon where he will explain the decision and take questions from his colleagues.
Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will address Parliament later to discuss last weeks Houthi strikes
(AFP via Getty Images)
Tom Watling15 January 2024 07:45
‘Intention was to send a very clear message to the Houthis,’ Grant Shapps
Grant Shapps has said Britain’s strikes against Houthis in Yemen were carried out to send a “very clear message” to the Iranian-backed rebels.
The defence secretary denied that the UK had any intention of invading Yemen “or anything like that”.
“It was simply to send a very clear message to the Iranian-backed Houthis that their behaviour in the Red Sea was completely unacceptable,” he said.
Mr Shapps said that Britain will strike against the Houthis again if they do not stop attacking cargo ships in the Red Sea, adding that ministers will “take the decisions that need to be taken”.
Britain’s Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said the UK had no intention to move into Yemen
(via REUTERS)
Tom Watling15 January 2024 07:24
Recap: Why are Britain and US attacking Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels?
The attacks came after the Houthis launched their largest attack on Red Sea shipping, one of 27 such assaults since 19 November.
Officials said that 21 missiles and drones were fired at warships and commercial vessels near the Bab al-Mandab Strait earlier this week, the southern bottleneck of the Red Sea, with US and UK warships blowing them out of the sky.
Here is what we know so far:
Matt Mathers15 January 2024 07:00
Houthis: The Iran-backed rebels attacking ships in the Red Sea
The Islamist group claims it began striking a narrow strip of sea between Yemen and east Africa, which is a key international trade route, in a bid to end Israel’s air and ground offensive against Hamas.
But who are Yemen’s Houthi rebels? How are they linked to the conflict between Israel and Palestine, and why are they attacking western ships now?
Read the full story here:
Maroosha Muzaffar15 January 2024 06:30