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What we know
- The U.S. and British militaries launched strikes today in Yemen, which is largely controlled by Houthi rebels who have been carrying out attacks in the Red Sea since they declared support for Hamas.
- The United Nations’ top court has heard South Africa’s case that Israel’s military assault on the Gaza Strip amounts to genocide against Palestinians, an accusation that Israel denies and has dismissed as "atrocious and preposterous." South Africa is initially asking the International Court of Justice to order an immediate halt to Israel’s offensive, though a decision is likely to take weeks.
- Ahead of two days of opening arguments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered his first public rebuke of comments by senior members of his government that have drawn criticism from the U.S. and others. "Israel has no intention of permanently occupying Gaza or displacing its civilian population," he said in a video statement in English.
- The U.S. has been pushing Israel to reduce civilian suffering and embrace proposals for post-war Gaza, with a senior administration official claiming some modest success in getting Middle East leaders behind plans. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Egypt to wrap up his diplomatic tour, which has also focused on preventing a broader regional war amid growing attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea and escalating clashes between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon.
- More than 23,400 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. More than 59,600 have been injured, and thousands more are missing and presumed dead.
- Israeli military officials say at least 189 soldiers have been killed during the country's ground invasion of Gaza, which came after 1,200 people were killed and about 240 hostages were seized after Hamas launched multipronged attacks on Israel on Oct. 7.
- NBC News’ Richard Engel, Raf Sanchez, Ali Arouzi, Chantal Da Silva and Josh Lederman are reporting from the region.
Lawmakers respond to strikes in Yemen, some raising authorization concerns
WASHINGTON — Lawmakers offered mixed reviews over the United States' military action in Yemen. Republicans, particularly those in leadership positions, are largely supportive, calling the strikes overdue.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., welcomed the operations, saying in a statement, "President Biden’s decision to use military force against these Iranian proxies is overdue."
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Ala., also called action from U.S. and British forces "long overdue" in a post on X, adding that the U.S. “must always project strength, especially in these dangerous times.”
Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee Jack Reed also backed the military action, which he said in a statement tonight was "necessary and proportional."
Some progressive Democrats, meanwhile, criticized Biden because he did not seek congressional authorization, a view shared by some Republicans.
"The United States cannot risk getting entangled into another decades-long conflict without Congressional authorization," Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., wrote on X.
Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, wrote on X that he was "potentially fine" with striking, but questioned why Congress was not making those calls, asking, "Under what authority was this carried out?"
Strikes were against 60 Houthi targets, Air Force says
U.S. strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen involved over 60 targets at 16 locations, and over 100 “precision-guided munitions of various types” were used, the Air Force said late Thursday ET.
The strikes were against “command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities, and air defense radar systems,” U.S. Air Forces Central said in a statement.
The Houthis, Iranian-backed militants, have been launching attacks against commercial and military ships in the Red Sea after having declared their support for Hamas, officials have said.
The strikes involved aircraft, as well as Tomahawk missiles “launched from surface and sub-surface platforms,” it said.
“We remain committed to our critical partners throughout the Middle East to defend against Iranian-backed Militia Groups, including Houthi militants, and the threat they pose to regional security and stability,” Air Force Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, the U.S. Air Forces Central and Combined Forces Air Component commander, said in the statement.
U.S. military says Houthi attacks ‘will not be tolerated’
The U.S. military late Thursday ET announced the U.S. and U.K. strikes that targeted Houthi rebels in parts of Yemen that the militant group controls.
Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, the commander of U.S. Central Command, said in a statement that attacks on shipping by the Houthis “will not be tolerated, and they will be held accountable.”
“We hold the Houthi militants and their destabilizing Iranian sponsors responsible for the illegal, indiscriminate, and reckless attacks on international shipping that have impacted 55 nations so far, including endangering the lives of hundreds of mariners, including the United States,” Kurilla said in the statement on X, which included video of military aircraft.
Saudi Arabia calls for restraint after U.S., U.K. strikes in Yemen
Saudi Arabia “is closely monitoring with great concern” the situation after the U.S. and the United Kingdom carried out strikes in Houthi rebel-controlled areas of Yemen, the kingdom’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said Friday local time.
“While the Kingdom emphasizes the importance of maintaining the security and stability of the Red Sea region, as the freedom of navigation in it is an international demand due to its impact on the interests of the entire world, it calls for restraint and avoiding escalation in light of the events the region is witnessing,” the ministry said in a statement on X, which was published in English by the Saudi Press Agency.
Saudi Arabia started a war against the Houthi rebels after the group took control of parts of Yemen, which borders Saudi Arabia, including Yemen’s capital.
The Houthi rebels are backed by Iran. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman scaled back his military operation and entered peace talks with the Houthis last year.
Strikes against Houthis focused on drones, missiles, radar, defense secretary says
The fighter jet and missile strikes launched against rebel Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen focused on drones, missiles, radar and surveillance, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.
“This action is intended to disrupt and degrade the Houthis’ capabilities to endanger mariners and threaten global trade in one of the world’s most critical waterways,” Austin said in a statement. “Today’s coalition action sends a clear message to the Houthis that they will bear further costs if they do not end their illegal attacks.”
Today’s strikes targeted sites associated with the Houthis’ unmanned aerial vehicle, ballistic and cruise missile, and coastal radar and air surveillance capabilities,” he said. “The United States maintains its right to self-defense and, if necessary, we will take follow-on actions to protect U.S. forces.”
The U.K. also launched strikes along with the U.S. The U.K.’s Defense Ministry said four Royal Air Force Typhoons took part.
British Prime Minister Sunak: Houthi attacks ‘cannot stand’
U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urged Houthi rebels to cease their aggression.
The U.S. and the U.K. launched the strikes following 27 attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen against ships in the Red Sea, a vital waterway, after the Houthis said they were supporting Hamas against Israel.
“Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea, including against UK and US warships just this week,” Sunak said in a statement tonight confirming the strikes.
“This cannot stand. The United Kingdom will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade,” he said.
Sunak said the strikes were “limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence.”
“The Royal Navy continues to patrol the Red Sea as part of the multinational Operation Prosperity Guardian to deter further Houthi aggression, and we urge them to cease their attacks and take steps to de-escalate,” Sunak said.
Top Houthi negotiator blames Israel for wider conflicts in Middle East
JERUSALEM — The Houthis are a powerful force inside Yemen, but they recently emerged on the world stage when they began to blockade the Red Sea in retaliation for Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
A top Houthi negotiator blames Israel for the wider conflicts in the Middle East.
Biden says strikes were 'direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks'
Biden said today that he ordered strikes against "a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels" following attacks by the rebels on ships in the Red Sea.
Biden said that the military action was "together with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands" and that the rebels were endangering navigation in a vital waterway.
"These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea — including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history," Biden said in a statement.
"These attacks have endangered U.S. personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardized trade, and threatened freedom of navigation. More than 50 nations have been affected in 27 attacks on international commercial shipping. Crews from more than 20 countries have been threatened or taken hostage in acts of piracy. More than 2,000 ships have been forced to divert thousands of miles to avoid the Red Sea—which can cause weeks of delays in product shipping times. And on January 9, Houthis launched their largest attack to date—directly targeting American ships.
"The response of the international community to these reckless attacks has been united and resolute. Last month, the United States launched Operation Prosperity Guardian—a coalition of more than 20 nations committed to defending international shipping and deterring Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. We also joined more than 40 nations in condemning Houthi threats. Last week, together with 13 allies and partners, we issued an unequivocal warning that Houthi rebels would bear the consequences if their attacks did not cease. And yesterday, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution demanding the Houthis end attacks on merchant and commercial vessels.
"Today’s defensive action follows this extensive diplomatic campaign and Houthi rebels’ escalating attacks against commercial vessels. These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most critical commercial routes. I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary."
Houthi official calls strikes an ‘aggression’
The vice president of the Houthi media authority in the rebel-controlled area of Yemen said airstrikes by the U.S. and the U.K. were “a brutal aggression.”
The U.S. and the U.K. used fighter jets and Tomahawk missiles to target areas in rebel-controlled Yemen, U.S. officials said.
Nasr Aldeen Amer, the vice president of the Houthi Media Authority in Sanaa, confirmed that attacks occurred.
“A brutal aggression against our country, for which they will pay absolutely and without hesitation, and we will not back down from our position in supporting the Palestinian people, whatever the cost,” Amer said.
U.S. had warned action was possible
Today's strikes did not come as a surprise, as officials had publicly threatened they were possible if attacks in the Red Sea continued.
The U.S. and Britain are sending a message: “No more warnings,” foreign policy expert David Rothkopf says.
The British participation in the strikes signals that there is an international community, not simply one country, seeking to end attacks on shipping vessels, Rothkopf says.