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

[moniss]

41. Nothing I have said is a

defense of the Houthis and I was quite clear that striking those who strike you is understood. But to think the Houthis are the only bad guys in this scenario ignores the others who have played/still play a massive role in this massive starvation. But some might consider the Saudis and the UAE to be "good guys". I don't.

[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.

[moniss]

40. It is foolish to think that the strikes at the airport

are just like a hand grenade going off. If you think that 7 strikes from jets at an airport doesn't affect function you are mistaken. If you think strikes at a port no matter how "targeted" result in normal function then once again you are mistaken. Also it is more likely than less likely that we are not aware of the totality of the strikes and if history is a guide then relying on the initial US military assessment is unreliable. A big problem is we don't have a very reliable media access at this point and haven't had for a very long time going back years now.

Suffice it to say that international shipping is reasonably going to be more reluctant to enter the port knowing the bombing is escalating. That alone disrupts let alone the reluctance of any airline to fly into a questionable airport scenario of possible damage and increased risk of attack. The spare parts for port operation and service personnel would normally be coming in by plane. Companies are typically contracted to provide support services for many aspects of port maintenance and repair and I highly doubt whether the Houthi rebels have several master electricians/electronics technicians and master mechanic/machinists to diagnose and repair things like port gantry systems etc. Let alone would they typically have a storeroom full of expensive spare components. So if you are the company with these highly skilled people do you keep sending them into an increasingly risky environment where you might lose them? The delay for a gantry downtime could turn from days to weeks. Think a little beyond the immediate bomb crater and whether it was a Houthi storage facility.

Which facilities by the way could well be warehouses at the port that were also used for food aid. It comes as a surprise to some that the cargo from ships is not all in containers stacked around once unloaded from the ship and waiting for a truck and chassis. Other things come in as well and every cargo port is usually served with warehouses on site and many times in the surrounding areas of the port. But some people think that a pallet of rice comes in and just goes right from ship to truck and away it goes. Port operation and the flow/distribution of goods is a whole system. When parts of that system faced increased risk during conflicts it affects the performance of the system. Some people around the world don't think so.

[EX500rider]

42. "the reluctance of any airline to fly into a questionable airport scenario"

As of 2021, there are no longer any scheduled services at the airport after Yemenia suspended all routes in 2015 due to the ongoing regional conflict

Also unless they cratered the runway the airport is usable.

Yemen also has other ports aid can enter thru (though you have zero proof aid has been disturbed in that port, only wild speculation IMO)

10 Major Yemen Ports: A Deep Dive into Yemen Maritime Gateways

As of January 2024, several Yemeni ports, including Aden, Mukalla, Saleef, and Hodeidah, are reported as operational, while others like Ras Isa Marine Terminal and Balhaf LNG Terminal are closed.

Also some of the rebels arms from Iran come thru that port so I understand why Israel hit it.

I also think US strike planners can tell the difference between a rebel arms warehouse and a Red Cross/UN food warehouse.

[moniss]

43. It is a naivete most people have that

"scheduled airlines" are the only flights using an airport especially in these circumstances and with cargo carriers. Much of that service is charter. Do I need to explain the difference between charter and scheduled? Do you think someone running a charter service is going to just ignore the risk of further strikes to their planes and personnel? Much has happened since January 2024 such as Ras Isa was functioning recently. I expect since you feel that an airport being bombed repeatedly is not an issue about safety that you will be on the next chartered flight. Have a happy trip. As I have stated before it is understood that someone who strikes receives a strike in return but it is not acceptable to just ignore the civilian population and their situation while doing so. Except for some people around the world who apparently think otherwise. If you believe that every air operation regardless of US or Israeli goes as planned and only the "bad guys" are hit then you must own the Brooklyn Bridge by now. Hodeidah was the main port for receiving food aid for that area. Do you think the ports that are in the government control are going to be able to ship aid to the Houthi controlled areas? If so you understand nothing of conflict in general or this one in particular. It is obvious you also do not understand port/shipping/distribution operations.

The fact of the matter seems that no amount of destruction and death or the acts that bring it about are unacceptable to many around the world. But we have treaties about the conduct of conflict and civilian infrastructure and civilian populations drawn up and agreed to by people who understand that the blinding urge for retaliation doesn't excuse any and all behavior or means and scope of that retaliation. They realized what people become when they lower themselves to certain levels of acceptance of unnecessary actions that impact civilian populations and dismissal of things that impact their suffering. Of course we still have huge numbers of people around the world who think "anything goes".

By the way you have no idea how the warehouses at Hodeidah are configured or differentiated for use and who has control. It is pretty clear that you feel none of these actions have the slightest impact on the reception and distribution of aid. Apparently when the UNRWA personnel in Gaza can't move because of lack of assurance of not being bombed or shot by the IDF it isn't a matter affecting distribution in your eyes and previous incidents are just "all forgotten". Or perhaps aid workers and NGO's working in conflict zones know quite well about the impact and interruption to distribution that occurs since they've lost hundreds of their personnel over the years to "accidents" or "misunderstandings". Oh wait a minute. How silly of me to think that attacks on and near aid reception/distribution areas might have an impact on operations. Nope can't possibly be because I've been assured that everything is just fine.

[EX500rider]

44. Well gosh I guess the rebels just get a free pass then right I mean long as they hide near an airport or port

Unless the runways have been cratered the airport is usable and unless the port has been blocked by ships sunk in the entrance the port is usable, it's been a war zone for years I'm sure there's tons of damage already everywhere

[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.

[ck4829]

45. Russia-backed Houthis

https://democraticunderground.com/10143327573