THE UK and US have launched a third wave of airstrikes in Yemen just hours after a joint operation last night to blitz Houthi terror targets.
Meanwhile America has blitzed other Iran-based terrorists in Iraq following a brutal attack on US military over the weekend.
xThe UK and US launched their second blitz on Yemen on Monday (pictured)[/caption]
Ministry of DefenceRAF Typhoon jet takes off for the joint UK-US mission on Monday[/caption]
UK Ministry of Defence / Crown 2024A RAF Typhoon pictured dropping precision bombs in Yemen[/caption]
It comes after rockets were fired at a US airbase in Ain al-Asad in Iraq on SaturdayPA
ReutersFour US military personnel were left with traumatic brain injuries after Saturday’s strike[/caption]
xUK and US blast Yemen on Monday[/caption]
America and Britain said in a joint statement on Tuesday that the fresh strikes come amid “continued illegal and reckless Houthi attacks” on ships in the Red Sea.
“These strikes were designed to disrupt and degrade the capability of the Houthis to continue their attacks on global trade and innocent mariners from around the world, while avoiding escalation,” they added.
Ballistic missiles fired at the US Al-Asad airbase in Iraq on Saturday left four American military personnel with traumatic brain injuries.
On Tuesday evening Biden’s forces retaliated with attacks on three different sites in Iraq used by terror groups backed by Iran – while also blitzing Yemen with UK allies.
US Central Command said in a statement posted to X: “U.S. CENTCOM forces conducted unilateral airstrikes against three facilities used by Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia group.
It added that the strikes targeted “other Iran-affiliated groups in Iraq”.
“These strikes targeted KH headquarters, storage, and training locations for rocket, missile, and one-way attack UAV capabilities.”
US airbases across the Middle East – particularly in Iraq and Syria – have faced an onslaught of missile attacks in recent weeks.
In response to Western support for Israel amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, different Iran-backed militias have launched around 150 assaults.
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday: “U.S. military forces conducted necessary and proportionate strikes on three facilities used by the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia group and other Iran-affiliated groups in Iraq.”
“These precision strikes are in direct response to a series of escalatory attacks against U.S. and Coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-sponsored militias.”
Following Saturday’s attack on American military, US Central Command said: “Most of the missiles were intercepted by the base’s air defence systems while others impacted on the base.
“A number of U.S. personnel are undergoing evaluation for traumatic brain injuries.”
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq initially claimed responsibility for the brutal attack on Saturday.
They also claimed responsibility for the drone strikes on al-Omar oil field, a US base in eastern Syria, the drone strikes on Al-Harir airbase, Iraq and the shooting down of a US MQ-9 Reaper drone in Kuwait.
There are roughly 2,500 American troops in Iraq and some 900 in Syria – a hangover from occupation in the area and an attempt to monitor Islamic extremist threats.
Defence chief Austin added: “The President and I will not hesitate to take necessary action to defend them and our interests. We do not seek to escalate conflict in the region. We are fully prepared to take further measures to protect our people and our facilities. We call on these groups and their Iranian sponsors to immediately cease these attacks.”
Despite reports from Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s office that the country was making moves to evict US forces – the Pentagon has said it has yet to be formally notified of any such plans.
Just weeks ago another US strike in capital Baghdad took out Iran-backed militia commander Abu Taqwa Al-Saedi.
The hit was strongly condemned by the Iraqi government as leader Sudani dubbed it a dangerous escalation.
Iraq’s foreign ministry said: “Iraq reserves its right to take a firm stance and take all measures that deter anyone who tries to harm its land and security forces.”
And Abu Aqeel al Moussawi, a local Iraqi militia commander, warned: “We will make the Americans regret carrying out this aggression.”
The Pentagon has said its troops maintain their presence in Iraq at the invitation of its government.
Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden warned Iranian-backed militants that they would strike Yemen again “if needed” following last night’s mission.
The Pentagon said they successfully hit eight targets – including an underground bunker.
And it follows the successful initial joint operation on January 12 which saw the allied countries blitz more Houthi targets in a meticulously planned mission.
TwitterPictures from a recent US strike in Baghdad – Iraq’s capital[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
