US launches airstrikes by fighter jets and ships on Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military struck more than a dozen Houthi targets in Yemen on Friday, going after weapons systems, bases and other equipment belonging to the Iranian-backed rebels, U.S. officials confirmed.

Military aircraft and warships bombed Houthi strongholds at roughly five locations, according to the officials.

Houthi media said seven strikes hit the airport in Hodeida, a major port city, and the Katheib area, which has a Houthi-controlled military base. Four more strikes hit the Seiyana area in Sanaa, the capital, and two strikes hit the Dhamar province. The Houthi media office also reported three air raids in Bayda province, southeast of Sanaa.

The strikes come just days after the Houthis threatened “escalating military operations” targeting Israel after they apparently shot down a U.S. military drone flying over Yemen. And just last week, the group claimed responsibility for an attack targeting American warships.

-snip-

By LOLITA C. BALDOR
Updated 2:10 PM EDT, October 4, 2024


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/houthis-yemen-us-strikes-weapons-752dd1e5dd6c284a7909878f89c73149

[irisblue]

1. damnit damnit

[StClone]

2. Netanyahu's provocations to get the U.S. as deep into this as possible...

...get as much as he can and cause a regional conflict knowing we won't block him and we'll keep the arms flowing. If we do stop him, Trump will squeal that we don't support Israel. IF Kamala wins she will take a decidedly different approach to Israel, so Netanyahu will keep going crazy until then.

[AZSkiffyGeek]

3. You misspelled "Houthis"

Netanyahu hasn't been attacking US ships for the past year.

[Richard D]

5. And here we have an example . . .

. . . of why so many life-long Democratic Jews are on the edge of bailing the party.

[JohnSJ]

8. I don't think so, at least those like me who have half a brain and

realize that comments on a message board do not represent the administration or its views, and both President Biden and VP Harris made it clear that Israel has a right to defend itself, and that actions against ships or American interest will be met with full force.

The fact that both Hamas and hezbolah followed through after October 7 with missile attacks and refusal to release all hostages and maintain their intent to destroy Israel is not going to sit by and do nothing.

Hamas and hezbolah apologists like democracy now push their one side propaganda and borders on antisemitism, as evidenced when they questioned the veracity of the rapes and torture that occurred on October 7, and never interview opposing points of view.

[moniss]

11. Nobody disputes firing on those

positions that fire on us but bombing the port/airport that is the main method of getting food aid into a country that is having catastrophic starvation is uncalled for. I am well aware that arms may come into the port/airport as well but we do not get to "destroy the village to save it." What we are doing at the port/airport gets us closer to a charge of collective punishment against a civilian population.

The IAF hit the main port and another smaller one just a few days ago.

[littlemissmartypants]

12. Please explain.

[prodigitalson]

39. because Biden is bombing the Houthis? not bombing them enough? someone in the party disagrees with you on how much

Houthi bombing is appropriate?

so, you wanna bail on the party during an existential threat to American democracy?

[former9thward]

6. Do you have secret inside information about Harris's views towards Israel?

Since you are telling us she will "take a decidedly different approach to Israel". Please tell us what her true views are.

[JohnSJ]

15. no difference.

[sarisataka]

7. What will this different approach be?

Vice President Harris will never hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to protect U.S. forces and interests from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups. Vice President Harris will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself and she will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself. She and President Biden are working to end the war in Gaza, such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination. She and President Biden are working around the clock to get a hostage deal and a ceasefire deal done.

What is different from Biden's approach?

[EX500rider]

16. Pretty sneaky of Netanyahu to force the Houthi's to attack Israel & other ships...

Did he pay them or something you think? lol

[maxsolomon]

4. It's not just Houthi attacks on Israel prompting this.

...they apparently shot down a U.S. military drone flying over Yemen. And just last week, the group claimed responsibility for an attack targeting American warships.

Direct attacks on the US Navy are going to get a direct response.

[bronxiteforever]

9. I recommend. Direct attacks against the US Navy should get a response.

Also they are actively involved in hostage taking some have been of sailors on commercial vessels.

[moniss]

10. The starvation in Yemen is

catastrophic and that port/airport is the main means of them receiving what food does come in. So we just made sure to make that situation even worse.

[littlemissmartypants]

13. I don't know that the port was rendered inoperable but

Hunger is a worldwide concern for me. Especially in Appalachia and other places in the USA where families have just lost everything.

Millions of people in Africa live in extreme poverty without access to safe drinking water and reliable sources of food.

More than fifty countries in the world have food and water insecurity at present.

❤️

[moniss]

14. The starvation and pictures from Yemen

have been horrendous for years now. Sudan also.

[NickB79]

17. Houthis shouldn't spend all their money on Iranian missiles, I guess

How much food could millions wasted on missiles and drones targeting cargo ships buy?

[moniss]

20. This has been an internal conflict in Yemen for years now and is not simply a matter of

Houthis and what they do with Iran. The internal government of Yemen has a part to play in this also. Along with our pals on one side or the other restricting food aid etc. as well. Remember that it is not just a matter of money buying aid but, as we have seen in Gaza, the aid has to actually get to people and that can be a whole different matter. But apparently for many people around the world when they hear Yemen they think only of Houthis and when they see starving women and children they think they are Houthis as well. I don't really understand why people see starving people and somehow think that those people are the cause of their own starvation or can provide a political overthrow of warring factions. I don't know why people find it acceptable to use starvation of a population and restriction of medical supplies and water, all in violation of international law, as a weapon against the civilian populations. I think you are dramatically confused if you think the Houthi rebels have millions and millions of dollars that they are choosing to spend one way or the other rather than Iran simply arming them as part of it's multi-pronged terror group strategy.

[NickB79]

21. The internal conflict is that the Houthis want an Islamic caliphate

Based on what ISIS and the Taliban push.

The Houthis are the bad guys here by almost any metric you can find

[EX500rider]

18. What makes you think the port is now closed to cargo ships?

It's more likely the US hit Rebel boats and barracks Etc around the port

[moniss]

19. It is not a matter of the port being totally closed

it's a matter that damage in and around the port makes moving aid more difficult. Also a port functions with manpower and services. when that is affected it affects the port operation.

[EX500rider]

22. And what makes you think the US didn'tjust strike Rebel boats & muntions?

Certainly those aren't required to bring in aid

[moniss]

24. Because the reports have been that we hit more than boats

and munitions. Likewise the IDF strikes hit more than boats and munitions. Both attacks were described as hitting infrastructure, substantial damage at the airport etc. If you think an airport is unnecessary for the operation of a port then you have no understanding of how the support services for equipment maintenance and repair at a port facility work. When machines break and specialized parts are needed in areas like this they don't just have a Grainger or a NAPA down the street to get their parts from. So things are flown in. Works the same in the oilfields and mining around the world.

[EX500rider]

31. Still does not mean any of the civilian infrastructure at the port or airport was hit by the US

[AZSkiffyGeek]

29. Because US and Israel bad and terrorists good

Haven’t you been paying attention for the past year? These are freedom fighters just like Mandela!

[MarineCombatEngineer]

23. As far as I know, the port is still open and operating,

maybe the Houthis should stop firing missiles and drones at ships and Israel.
Think maybe them firing missiles is the reason they get hit?
Firing at US Navy ships isn't conductive to one's health.

[moniss]

25. You express a lack of understanding about the conflict in Yemen.

Even if they never fired another missile at all the major internal struggle that plays a role in all of this would still be there. The definition of "open and operating" is meaningless if unloading and distribution is affected along with port maintenance capabilities. Or do you think that ports just operate every day without breakdowns and maintenance requirements? Since the airport was hit repeatedly that support facility as well has been impacted. The situation of starvation in Yemen and the reception and distribution of aid goes way beyond the Houthis firing missiles. I indicated that firing at people firing at you is understood so I don't get why you would ask me the question in your second line. My comments have not been anywhere near a call not to fire back at the Houthis. They have been about the impact the attacks on the port/supporting services/facilities can have to what little aid comes in and gets distributed anyway. But to many around the world if all of the women and children starve to death it would be a cause for celebration.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

26. I think you assume too much of what I do and don't understand. nt

[moniss]

27. I take your expressions at face value. nt

[MarineCombatEngineer]

28. As I said.....................nt

[EX500rider]

32. I've still seen zero proof that any civilian infrastructure was hit

Certainly part of the airport & port were used by the Houthi's and hitting that may not effect any other operations, unless you have some proof that it was

[moniss]

35. The Times of Israel from 9/29/24 for example

cites the IDF as saying they struck power plants along with the port. That is civilian infrastructure and as noted here most of the city had power outages. I have not seen reporting as to how much has been restored.

"The IDF attacked power plants and a port, which are used to import oil. Through the targeted infrastructure and ports, the Houthi regime transfers Iranian weapons to the region, and supplies for military purposes, including oil,” the military said.

The strikes caused power outages in most parts of the port city of Hodeidah, residents told Reuters."

The indication by the IDF was that "dozens" of jets were involved. That's not just a few bombs here or there on a launch site or a camp.

So the infrastructure was hit and you can find more in articles from other media if you wish.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-strikes-port-power-plants-in-yemen-after-recent-houthi-missile-attacks/

[EX500rider]

36. This is a thread about the US strikes not the IDF strikes

But with the rebels firing missiles at Israeli cities I am not surprised they want their strikes to be a little more painful

[moniss]

37. Here's more from CBS dated 10/04 and also referencing US/UK

involvement throughout the year and also the recent attacks on infrastructure. Also here's one from the AP from 10/04/24 indicating that the airport was hit 7 times.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-airstrikes-yemen-iran-backed-houthi-rebels/#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20military%20struck%20more%20than%20a%20dozen,at%20approximately%20five%20locations%2C%20according%20to%20the%20officials.

https://apnews.com/article/houthis-yemen-us-strikes-weapons-752dd1e5dd6c284a7909878f89c73149

[EX500rider]

38. Yes, CBS says "infrastructure, like storage facilities" What's wrong with hitting weapons & launcher storage?

The Ap story:
The U.S. military struck more than a dozen Houthi targets in Yemen on Friday, going after weapons systems, bases and other equipment belonging to the Iranian-backed rebels, U.S. officials confirmed.

I don't see where the US hit anything that would impede the flow of aid.

[Igel]

33. If not "the," then at least "a."

https://merchantnavyinfo.com/yemeni-port-major-ports-in-yemen/

But having Hodeidah be "a" main port allows for at least one other.

It's absolutely the main port for Houthi-controlled territory.

[moniss]

34. Yes it is variously described in media reports as "a" main port for

food aid by some and then by some it's described as "the". There is a smaller port named Ras Isa further up the coast that was also targeted by the IAF. That one was thought to be a main point for supplying the Houthis with arms and fuel.

[Historic NY]

30. Are we suddenly to believe that US fighters no longer have pin point precision munitions

that can discern electronic signals and targets. The airport is a main military air base along with a civil section, it is not operational for civil aviation. The Saudis took out most of the air force capabilities, however operational military aircraft are in the hand of the Houthis. Drones have been launched from some remaining facilities. *Note some aircraft are American made.