Biden warns of more strikes on Yemen's Houthis if Red Sea attacks persist
Yemen's Houthi forces if they keep up their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea despite dozens of U.S. and British air strikes on the Iran-backed group's facilities.
Intensifying concerns about a widening regional conflict, U.S.
and British warplanes, ships and submarines this week launched missiles against targets across Yemen controlled by the group, which has cast its maritime campaign as support for Palestinians under siege by Israel in Hamas-ruled Gaza.
Even as Houthi leaders swore retaliation, Biden warned on Friday that he could order more strikes if they do not stop their attacks on merchant and military vessels in one of the world's most economically vital waterways.
«We will make sure that we respond to the Houthis if they continue this outrageous behavior,» Biden told reporters during a stop in Pennsylvania on Friday.
Witnesses confirmed explosions early on Friday, Yemen time, at military bases near airports in the capital Sanaa and Yemen's third city Taiz, a naval base at Yemen's main Red Sea port Hodeidah and military sites in the coastal Hajjah governorate.
White House spokesperson John Kirby said the strikes had targeted the Houthis' ability to store, launch and guide missiles or drones, which the group has used in recent months to threaten Red Sea shipping.
The Pentagon said the U.S.-British assault reduced the Houthis' capacity to launch fresh attacks. The U.S.
