US, UK launch massive retaliatory strike against Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen
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00:00 After repeatedly warning of consequences if the Houthis continued their attacks in the
00:05 Red Sea, Washington and its allies have made good on their threats.
00:10 The U.S. and the U.K. launched strikes against multiple Houthi targets in Yemen in what Joe
00:15 Biden described as a defensive action.
00:20 These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime
00:25 vessels in the Red Sea, including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first
00:30 time in history.
00:32 The move marked a significant escalation after months of tensions in the Red Sea.
00:37 In November, the Houthis began attacking commercial vessels in the area in retaliation to Israeli
00:43 operations in Gaza.
00:45 The group has since launched dozens of attacks, mainly against ships they said were affiliated
00:50 to Israel, and while most of their drones were shot down before reaching their targets,
00:55 they've severely disrupted trade in one of the world's busiest shipping routes.
01:01 Despite multiple warnings and ultimatums by the West, the Houthis launched their biggest
01:06 operation yet on Tuesday, sending 18 drones and three missiles against a fleet of warships.
01:13 Perhaps anticipating a U.S. military response, the group said Thursday it would retaliate
01:18 against any attacks.
01:21 "We will not hesitate to do everything we can.
01:27 We'll confront the American aggression.
01:30 It will never remain unanswered."
01:36 Prior to Thursday's strikes, the U.S. had been keen to avoid direct confrontation with
01:40 the Houthis in order to prevent the war in Gaza from spiraling into a full-blown regional
01:45 conflict.