Coalition Forces Target Houthi-Controlled Areas in Yemen

Date: February 24, 2024

News Category: Military Analysis

Country: Yemen

Location: Houthi-Controlled Areas

In a decisive operation on February 24, 2024, the United States, alongside the United Kingdom and allies, launched targeted strikes against Houthi-controlled military installations in Yemen. The action, part of a broader effort to safeguard international waterways and counter destabilizing activities, marks a significant escalation in the coalition’s stance against the Iranian-backed Houthi militia.

Military Analysis: The Coalition’s Strategic Offensive

• Targeted Installations: The operation focused on crippling Houthi military capabilities, targeting underground and missile storage facilities, unmanned aerial systems, air defense mechanisms, radars, and a helicopter.

• International Collaboration: The strikes were carried out with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, showcasing a unified stance against threats to international security.

The Official Statement :

U.S. Forces, Allies Conduct Joint Strikes in Yemen

On Feb. 24, at approximately 11:50 p.m. (Sanaa Yemen time), U.S. Central Command forces alongside UK Armed Forces, and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, conducted strikes against 18 Houthi targets in Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen. These strikes from this multilateral coalition targeted areas used by the Houthis to attack international merchant vessels and naval ships in the region. Illegal Houthi attacks have disrupted humanitarian aid bound for Yemen, harmed Middle Eastern economies, and caused environmental damage.

The targets included Houthi underground weapons storage facilities, missile storage facilities, one-way attack unmanned aerial systems, air defense systems, radars, and a helicopter. These strikes are intended to degrade Houthi capability and disrupt their continued reckless and unlawful attacks on international commercial and U.S. and U.K. vessels in the Red Sea, Bab AI-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden.

The goal of this multi-national effort is to defend ourselves, our partners, and allies in the region and restore freedom of navigation by destroying Houthi capabilities used to threaten U.S. and partner forces in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways. These strikes are separate and distinct from the multinational freedom of navigation actions performed under Operation Prosperity Guardian.

Geopolitical Insights: Defending Critical Waterways

• Strategic Waterways at Risk: The operation underscores the coalition’s commitment to protecting the Red Sea, Bab AI-Mandeb Strait, and Gulf of Aden, vital for the global economy and energy supplies.

• Message to the Houthis: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III’s statement serves as a clear warning to the Houthis and their backers, signaling the coalition’s readiness to defend international norms and prevent regional instability.

Intelligence Briefings: The Threat of Houthi Attacks

• Disrupting Commerce and Safety: The Houthis’ attacks on international vessels not only threaten the safety of maritime routes but also pose risks to Middle Eastern economies and the environment.

• Humanitarian Concerns: The coalition’s actions are also framed as necessary to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to Yemen, highlighting the broader implications of securing these waterways.

Event Alerts: The International Response

• Global Reactions: The international community’s response to these strikes will be pivotal in shaping the next steps in the Yemen conflict and the broader Middle East geopolitical landscape.

• Future Engagements: The coalition’s commitment to taking further action if necessary suggests a strategic posture aimed at deterring future Houthi aggressions and supporting regional peace efforts.

The coalition’s targeted strikes in Yemen represent a critical juncture in the international effort to maintain regional stability and secure vital maritime corridors. By taking decisive action against the Houthi militia, the United States and its allies not only aim to deter further illegal activities but also to uphold the principles of free commerce and humanitarian assistance. As the situation evolves, the global community will closely watch the impact of these strikes on the dynamics of the Yemen conflict and the security of critical waterways.