US and UK Launch Airstrikes on Yemen Airport Amid Escalating Houthi Attacks

On May 2, 2024, fighter jets from the United States and the United Kingdom launched five airstrikes on Hodeida International Airport in Yemen. The aggressive action comes in response to the Houthis' recent missile and drone attacks targeting ships in the Red Sea, including a close-range ballistic missile fired at the USS Laboon on Tuesday. The US, International military reported that its forces and an allied warship destroyed two unmanned aerial systems launched from a Houthi-controlled region of Yemen, aimed at US, international, and commercial ships in the Red Sea.

Why this matters: The escalating conflict in Yemen has significant implications for regional stability and global security, as it involves multiple nations and factions vying for control. The ongoing violence also raises concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, which has already suffered greatly from years of conflict and economic instability.

The ongoing conflict between the US-UK coalition and the Iran-backed Houthis has escalated since November, with the Houthis launching hundreds of drones, missiles, and remote-controlled boats at commercial and navy ships in international waters off Yemen's coastline. The Houthis claim these attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians and retaliation forusand UK strikes on areas under their control in Yemen. In the last seven days alone, the Houthis have fired 33 ballistic missiles and drones at six ships in international seas off Yemen's coast, including Israel's city of Eilat.

In response to the aggression, Ansarallah Political Bureau member Ali Al-Qahoum warned that any military base or territory used as a launching point for US, UK, and Israeli aggression against Yemen would be deemed a "primary" target. He stated, "In this regard, the consequences and hostile tendencies must be taken into account, considering the aggression that has been ongoing for the past nine years. The equations have changed, and the balance of power has altered."

The US and UK, supported by other nations, have launched dozens of attacks on military targets in Sanaa, Saada, Taiz, and other Houthi-controlled territories, hitting missile and drone launchers, depots, radar sites, and other military infrastructure. Since January, 452 attacks by US and UK armies on militia-controlled regions have killed 40 people and injured 35 others.

The Houthi Ministry of Foreign Affairs renewed its threats to increase assaults on US, UK, and Israeli ships, plus vessels bound for Israel, if Israel launches a fresh military onslaught in Gaza. The leader of the Houthi militia, Abdul Malik Al Houthi, vowed to escalate attacks on ships in the Red Sea until Israel ends its war in Gaza and the US stops attacking Yemen.

The Supreme Council, during a meeting chaired by Mehdi al-Mashat on Tuesday, warned against any hostile provocations that might pose a threat to national security. The Council affirmed that any efforts to undermine Yemen's role in supporting Palestine, whether through military escalation or other means, would certainly fail. They added,"Any escalation would not be limited to Yemen borders."

The airstrikes on Hodeida International Airport are part of the ongoing support for Palestine's struggle against Israeli occupation. Yemen has been a key player in supporting Palestine's cause, and the US-UK coalition's aggression has been ongoing for nine years. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan criticized the US for its response to pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses, saying authorities were displaying cruelty in clamping down on students and academics. Erdogan also criticized Israel's assault on Gaza and what he calls the unconditional support it receives from Western countries.

The conflict in Yemen continues to escalate, with the US and UK launching airstrikes and the Houthis retaliating with missile and drone attacks, the international community watches closely. The ongoing violence raises concerns about the stability of the region and the potential for further escalation. The situation in Yemen remains complex, with multiple factions vying for control and outside powers intervening in the conflict.

Key Takeaways

• US and UK launch airstrikes on Hodeida International Airport in Yemen.
• Houthis retaliate with missile and drone attacks on ships in Red Sea.
• Conflict escalates with 33 ballistic missiles and drones fired in 7 days.
• Yemen warns of increased attacks on US, UK, and Israeli ships and bases.
• Regional stability and global security concerns rise amid escalating violence.