The strikes, carried out on Friday, followed what US President Joe Biden described as "unprecedented" attacks by the Houthis on commercial ships in the Red Sea.

The Houthis warned that all US and British assets have now become "legitimate targets" in retaliation for the strikes. The targeted strikes, conducted by air and sea, aimed to send a clear message that attacks on personnel and freedom of navigation will not be tolerated, according to President Biden.

US Lieutenant General Douglas Sims stated that the strikes hit nearly 30 locations in Yemen, using over 150 munitions. While casualties were expected to be low as the targets included rural areas, the US anticipated potential retaliatory actions from the Houthis.

In a statement, the Houthis' Supreme Political Council declared that all American-British interests are now legitimate targets for Yemeni armed forces due to their aggression against Yemen. The rebel group condemned the strikes as "barbaric" and pledged to continue targeting ships heading towards Israel in support of Palestine.

Yemen's Saudi-backed, internationally recognized government attributed the UK and US strikes to the Houthis, holding them responsible for escalating military confrontation in the Red Sea. The Pentagon spokesperson emphasized that the US military is closely monitoring the situation and has not observed any retaliatory attacks from the Houthis thus far.

Tens of thousands of Yemenis took to the streets in several cities across the country to denounce the US and British strikes and express solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

The strikes represent the first military intervention by the US in response to drone and missile attacks on commercial ships since the start of Israel's war on Gaza in October. As the Houthi movement consolidates control over large parts of Yemen after years of conflict against a Western-backed coalition, it has reaffirmed its support for Hamas in its fight against Israel.

The Palestinian group held the US and the UK accountable for the impact of the strikes on regional security. The US, however, stated that it has no plans to deploy additional forces to the region.

The British Prime Minister's office stated that no further strikes against Houthi targets were currently planned, but the situation would be continuously assessed. The British Ministry of Defence noted that early indications suggested that the Houthis' ability to threaten merchant shipping had been significantly affected.

As the United States and Britain carry out military strikes in Yemen, condemnation and international concern grow. Iran, which supports the Houthis, condemned the attacks, while Russia has requested an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the strikes.

Despite these military actions, US officials have emphasized that they are not seeking a war with Yemen or Iran. The Biden administration's intent is to prevent any escalation of conflict and promote a ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

The situation remains fluid, and the international community will closely monitor developments in Yemen as tensions in the region persist.