**US targets Yemen with new airstrikes: 14 missiles set to be launched, destroyed

**US targets Yemen with new airstrikes: 14 missiles set to be launched, destroyed**

American and British warplanes launched attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen on Thursday, January 18, 2024, with the US military saying its forces struck 14 Houthi missiles that were being prepared for launch from Yemen.

The US Central Command said in a statement on its Twitter account that the Houthi missiles posed an imminent threat to commercial shipping and US naval vessels in the region. Yemen's Houthi-run Saba news agency reported that US and British aircraft had targeted several areas in Yemen.

"The US-British aggression aircraft targeted the provinces of Hodeidah, Taiz, Dhamar, Al Bayda and Saada," the agency said. US officials told Reuters that the United States had carried out another round of strikes against Houthi targets.

**Houthi response to US and British strikes**

The spokesman for Yemen's Houthi military, Yahya Saree, said in a statement that the group had targeted the USNS Choctaw County with missiles, resulting in "an accurate and direct hit," according to Reuters.

Saree's statement came shortly after the United States announced earlier that it was redesignating the Houthi group as a "terrorist organization" because of attacks it has been carrying out on ships headed to Israel via the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, who are facing Israeli aggression.

"The Yemeni armed forces will not hesitate to target all sources of threat in the Arabian and Red Seas, as part of the legitimate right to defend dear Yemen and to continue supporting the oppressed Palestinian people," Saree said in the statement.

**Repercussions of US and British strikes on the situation in Yemen**

The strikes are likely to escalate tensions between the United States and Britain on the one hand and the Houthis on the other. They could also lead to an increase in violence in Yemen.

The strikes come as part of international efforts to counter Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea, which have intensified in recent weeks. On December 18, 2023, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the formation of a naval task force called "Sentinel of Prosperity," which includes several European countries and one Arab country, Bahrain, to counter Houthi attacks and preserve maritime trade routes.

**Humanitarian situation in Yemen**

Yemen is suffering from a major humanitarian crisis, with more than 20 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and over 10 million people facing hunger. The war in Yemen has displaced more than 4 million people and led to the spread of diseases and epidemics.

The United Nations and humanitarian organizations are calling for a ceasefire in Yemen and for humanitarian aid to be allowed into all affected areas.

**Bab el-Mandeb Strait and its importance in navigation**

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is located at the southern tip of the Red Sea, between Yemen and Eritrea. It is about 20 nautical miles (37 km) wide and about 300 meters deep. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is one of the most important straits in the world, with about 3.3 million barrels of oil passing through it daily. About 12% of world trade also passes through it.

Importance of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in navigation:

* The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a major transit point for ships carrying oil from the Arabian Gulf to Europe and the United States.
* A large part of the trade between Asia and Europe also passes through it.
* The strait is also an important route for ships carrying goods between East Africa and the Middle East.

**Threats facing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait**

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait faces a number of threats, including:

* Houthi attacks: The Houthis in Yemen have launched attacks on ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which has led to the closure of the strait at times. **These attacks have been focused on Israeli ships and the US ships and warships that protect them, in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza who are facing Israeli aggression.**
* Oil pollution: Oil pollution also poses a threat to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, as ships carrying oil sometimes experience oil spills, which pollute the seawater.

**International efforts to protect the Bab el-Mandeb Strait**

Due to the importance of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in global navigation, many countries have made efforts to protect the strait from the threats it faces. These efforts include:

* Formation of Combined Task Force 150: This is a multinational naval force that works to protect ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait from piracy attacks.
* Establishment of the Yemen Maritime Operations Coordination Center: This center includes representatives from many countries and works to coordinate efforts to combat piracy in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
* Conducting joint military exercises: Many countries conduct joint military exercises in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to enhance maritime security in the region.

**Importance of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Yemen**

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is one of the most important waterways for Yemen, as about 90% of Yemen's exports and imports pass through it. The strait is also an important source of income for Yemen, as the Yemeni government imposes fees on ships passing through the strait.

The war in Yemen has led to the closure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at times, which has caused significant losses for Yemen. The war has also led to a decline in shipping traffic in the strait, which has negatively affected Yemen's economy.