Biden: Houthis Still Pose Threat To US Forces, Red Sea Shipping

12/7/2024 3:05:18 AM

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, Dec 7 (KUNA) -- US President Joe Biden said that Houthi militants continue to pose a threat of future attacks against US forces, military vessels and against other maritime traffic in the Red Sea.
Biden explained on Friday, in a letter to the congress regarding the war powers report, that "the US forces have conducted discrete strikes against facilities, locations, and equipment in Yemen that support and facilitate Houthi militants' attacks in the Red Sea region," in response to these threats.
The letter added that these strikes protect and defend US personnel and assets, and degrade and disrupt the ability of the Houthi militants to carry out future attacks against the US and navigation in the Red Sea region.
The letter noted that since November 2023, "Houthi militants based in Yemen have engaged in a series of attacks against US forces, including ships and aircraft, and against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden.
"These attacks have posed a threat to the safety of US forces and commercial ships and their crews, regional political and economic stability, and navigational rights and freedoms," the letter added.
Biden's letter noted that the US has armed forces in Saudi Arabia "to protect US forces and interests in the region against hostile action by Iran and Iran-backed groups."
The total number of US forces, which work in coordination with the government of Saudi Arabia, reached 2,027 and provide air and missile defense capabilities and support the operation of US military aircraft.
In addition to targeting US interests, the Houthis have been targeting Israeli occupation related cargo ships in the Red Sea for more than a year.
Since the beginning of 2024, the United States and Britain have launched joint and separate raids targeting Houthi sites in various areas of Yemen. (end)
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