Patrick Wintour of The Guardian reports that the U.S. military has launched a fourth wave of missile strikes against Houthi-controlled sites. The strikes came after a U.S. bulk carrier, Gibraltar Eagle, was hit by an anti-ship ballistic missile. The U.S. and its allies are focused on protecting the vital trade route in the Red Sea. Wintour writes:
The strikes were launched from the Red Sea, hitting more than a dozen sites – the officials told the AP news agency – and came after a drone launched from areas controlled by the Houthis hit a US-owned vessel in the Gulf of Aden.
The Houthi-controlled Saba news agency said that the areas targeted were Hodeidah, Taiz, Dhamar, al Bayda and Saada. The media group claimed that UK aircraft were also involved in the strikes but the Guardian was not able to verify those claims. […]
UKMTO WARNING 009/JAN/2024 UPDATE 002https://t.co/zHGNgQp1UB#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/R7ZWtRReQf
— United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) January 15, 2024
The US intends that any group or financial organisation, including those outside the US, could face US sanctions or fines if it was proven they were knowingly undertaking business with the Houthis.
The official added that the special terrorist designation may be lifted if the attacks on commercial shipping ended. They insisted that the designation was not intended to scupper the UN-led peace process that requires talks between the Houthis and the UN-recognised coalition government in Aden. But legal analysts suggest inhibitions may be placed on peace talks.
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