The U.S. carries out its fifth strike on Houthi Rebels, destroying missiles in the Red Sea. Despite President Biden's commitment to ongoing strikes, Houthi Rebels retaliate by targeting a U.S.-owned cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, raising concerns over escalating tensions and international intervention.
Yemeni Muslim worshippers protest at Friday Noon prayers in solidarity with the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, in the Houthi-controlled Yemeni capital Sanaa on October 27, 2023, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
In an article published by the Associated Press Thursday, it was stated that the United States had conducted its fifth strike on the Iranian-backed Houthi Rebel Group. The strike took place on Thursday and destroyed two Houthi Rebel anti-ship missiles. In a statement on X, once known as Twitter, United States central command wrote that the missiles "were aimed into the southern Red Sea and prepared to launch". The Pentagon also stated that the strike was carried out by Navy F/A-18 fighter aircraft.
President Biden Takes Action
President Biden stated that the strikes will continue despite them not deterring the group's activities. Biden in a statement said the following "When you say working, are they stopping the Houthis, no. Are they going to continue, yes". In addition to conducting strikes of their own, the United States has also conducted airstrikes alongside the U.K. against Houthi targets within Yemen.
However, soon after Biden's statement, there was a statement from Houthi Brig-Gen. who announced that the Rebel group had carried out another strike this time on the U.S. Owned Cargo ship titled Chem Ranger. The ship was located in the Gulf of Aden which is located just South of Yemen. The U.S. Central command said in a statement "The crew observed the missiles impact the water near the ship". The ship itself did not suffer any damage and no crew injuries were reported.
The frequent attacks on cargo ships within the Red Sea have drawn significant international attention and several superpowers have reached out to the United Nations, asking that they intervene. The Houthi Rebels have gone on record multiple times stating that their actions are in support of Gaza as the strip has become a battleground of the ongoing Israeli conflict with Hamas. These clashes within the Red Sea have also drawn concern over whether the conflict within Gaza has already evolved into a regional conflict.
