Washington, 12 January 2024 (dpa/MIA) — The United States and its allies have begun a series of military strikes against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, sending fighter jets to attack several targets.

The White House issued a statement from US President Joe Biden confirming the strikes.

"Today, at my direction, US military forces—together with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands—successfully conducted strikes against a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most vital waterways," Biden said.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the US and its allies would "not hesitate to defend our forces, the global economy, and the free flow of legitimate commerce."

"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," his statement said.

"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."

He said the strikes "targeted sites associated with the Houthis' unmanned aerial vehicle, ballistic and cruise missile, and coastal radar and air surveillance capabilities. The United States maintains its right to self-defence and, if necessary, we will take follow-on actions to protect US forces."

For this reason, "limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence" had been taken with the US and with the help of the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also confirmed "targeted attacks" by the British air force on military installations of the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

"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. This cannot stand. The United Kingdom will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade," Sunak told British media early on Friday morning.

The Houthi separatist Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein al-Ezzi said in a statement posted on Houthi television Al Masirah television, "our country was subjected to a massive aggressive attack by American and British ships, submarines, and warplanes.

"America and Britain will have to be prepared to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression," said al-Ezzi.

The television station said the strikes hit several targets, including the Kahlan camp to the east of Saada, the vicinity of Hodeidah Airport and areas in the Zabid District, the Al-Dailami Air Base north of the capital, as well as Taiz Airport and the 22nd Brigade camp in the Taiziyah District.

Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi has promised to retaliate in response to international airstrikes against Houthi rebel targets.

He warned that "any American aggression will never pass without a response, and we will not hesitate with God's willing, to do everything we can."

"We will confront the American aggression."

He stressed that the response to the attacks by countries forming the Operation Prosperity Guardian alliance would be the Houthi forces biggest attack yet.

He called on his people to demonstrate in the streets in millions on Friday and gather in Al-Sabeen Square in Sana'a and the squares of the regional governments or governorates in a march dubbed the Promised Conquest and the Holy Jihad.

Hezbollah, an allied militant group in Lebannon which is a close Houthi ally, said in a statement: "Hezbollah strongly condemns the blatant American-British aggression against brotherly Yemen, its security and sovereignty, and its free and honourable people, which stood with all strength, courage and responsibility alongside the Palestinian people and their honourable resistance, and did their utmost to break the siege on it by all available means and capabilities."

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri also condemned the attack, saying, "The American-British aggression against the Yemeni army’s areas because it stood by Gaza is an aggression and a provocation to the entire nation ... and this will have repercussions."

Saudi Arabia said it was following the developments "with great concern" via the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

"While the Kingdom stresses the importance of maintaining the security and stability of the Red Sea region ... it calls for restraint and avoiding escalation in light of the events the region is witnessing."

Since the outbreak of the Gaza war between Israel and the Islamist organization Hamas in October 2023, the Houthis have repeatedly attacked ships with an alleged Israeli connection in the Red Sea.

Major shipping companies are increasingly avoiding the route. The Houthis have also attacked Israel directly with drones and missiles on several occasions.