U.S. conducts airstrikes on several targets in Yemen

U.S. forces struck more than a dozen targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen Friday afternoon. Those targets included equipment used by Iran-backed Houthi militants, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command. The agency said it struck out of necessity, to keep international waters secure and open for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels..

The terror group has been attacking vessels in the Red Sea shipping lanes the since Israel’s war with Hamas began. In recent days, Houthi rebels have launched ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones against U.S. ships traveling through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

What is Yemen saying about the airstrikes? Houthi-controlled Al-Masirah TV on Friday reported that four airstrikes hit the Al-Siyanah military camp north of the capital city of Sanaa. Four airstrikes were conducted just west of the city of Hodeidah in western Yemen, according to the outlet. Additionally, the outlet claimed that three airstrikes hit what it characterized as a massive anti-Israel rally commemorating the death of a former Hezbollah leader. Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut last week.

Hashim Sharafaddein, a spokesman for Yemen’s Government of Change and Construction, condemned the attacks, characterizing them as a desperate attempt to intimidate the people of Yemen, according to another report from Al-Masirah TV. He reiterated that Houthi attacks would continue, referring to the conflict as a holy struggle.

What has President Joe Biden said about the ongoing Middle East conflict? President Biden held a surprise news conference at the White House Friday afternoon. He told reporters that Israel should consider alternatives to striking Iranian oil fields if it chooses to retaliate against Iran for its actions and those of its proxies. He insisted that no prior U.S. administration had ever provided more assistance to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu than his has. He added that his administration is in contact with Israeli leadership 12 hours a day, and reiterated that Israel has the right to defend itself against attacks, but added that its military needs to do a better job of avoiding civilian casualties.

Dig deeper: Read Rebecca Heinrichs’ commentary for WORLD Opinions on the lessons the U.S. government can learn from Israel’s conflicts with Hamas and Hezbollah.