A US Navy F-35C; the same type used in the airstrikes. Picture: US Department of Defence
US military aircraft have attacked Iranian-backed Houthi targets in Yemen and in Syria over the weekend.
On Saturday and Sunday (US time), airstrikes were launched against weapons storage facilities in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, Pentagon spokesman Major-General Pat Ryder (USAF) told journalists in Washington DC.
The airstrikes came 24 hours after attacks on US personnel in Syria.
“These facilities housed a variety of advanced conventional weapons used by the Iran-backed Houthis to target US and international military and civilian vessels navigating international waters in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,” Ryder says.
US Air Force and Navy aircraft, including F-35C fighters, were involved in the strikes.
“… we will continue to make clear to the Houthis that there will be consequences for their illegal and reckless attacks,” Ryder says.
He also confirmed that strikes were carried out on nine targets in two locations in Syria.
The strikes, Ryder says, were in response to two attacks on US personnel in Syria on November 10 in northeast Syria.
One of the attacks involved a UAV (drone) while the second involved two rockets. There were no injuries reported, he says.
Army commander General Michael Erik Kurilla said the US will do what’s needed to defend its personnel.
“Our message is clear. Attacks against US and coalition partners in the region will not be tolerated,” says Kurilla.
“We will continue to take every step necessary to protect our personnel and coalition partners and respond to reckless attacks.”
The Red Sea is a vital waterway that connects to the Suez Canal through which 10-15 per cent of world trade passes.
Activities along the strait have effectively closed amid ongoing attacks by Houthi rebels.
The Houthis, Hamas and Hezbollah are part of an Iran-led alliance spanning Yemen, Syria, Gaza and Iraq who say they won’t stop striking Israel and its allies until a ceasefire is reached in Gaza.
