In a joint operation, the United States and the United Kingdom, with the support of several other countries, conducted strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. According to two US officials, at least 30 targets were hit across 10 locations, utilizing air and surface platforms, including fighter jets.

The strikes, which took place on consecutive days, were in response to ongoing Houthi attacks on international shipping lanes and US warships in the Red Sea. The targeted sites included command and control centers, an underground weapons storage facility, and other weapons used by the Houthis to target international shipping.

In a joint statement, the US, UK, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand reiterated their aim to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea. They warned the Houthi leadership that they will not hesitate to defend lives and ensure the free flow of commerce in one of the world's most critical waterways.

Earlier on Saturday, the US successfully struck six Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles before they could be launched towards the Red Sea, according to US Central Command. These strikes come as part of the Biden administration's "multi-tiered" response to a recent drone attack that killed three US service members and injured many more.

The US has chosen not to directly target Iran, instead focusing on Iranian-backed proxies in the region. These strikes serve as an indirect message to Iran's leadership, indicating their growing concern over the actions of the militant organizations they support. While Iran funds, arms, and supplies these groups to varying degrees, it does not exercise direct control over them.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized that the recent strikes in Yemen aimed to disrupt and degrade the capabilities of the Houthi militia. He also stressed that if the Houthi attacks on international shipping and naval vessels do not cease, they will continue to face consequences.

President Joe Biden authorized the strikes earlier in the week, with the intention of deterring the actions of the Houthis without escalating the situation. Despite previous strikes against the Houthi rebels, Biden has acknowledged that they have not deterred the group's activities and has made it clear that such actions will persist.

In addition to the strikes in Yemen, the US carried out separate unilateral strikes in Syria and Iraq on Friday, hitting over 85 targets. The Biden administration has vowed to take further actions against Iranian-backed groups in these countries. The timing of future stages in this response remains undisclosed.

Saturday's strikes in Yemen, carried out by F/A-18s, mark the third time in recent weeks that the US and UK have targeted Houthi sites together. The previous strikes focused on disrupting the Houthi's ability to attack international shipping lanes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, vital waterways for global trade.

Despite these efforts, the Houthi rebels remain defiant, stating that they are even more determined to confront what they perceive as aggression from the US and the UK. In addition to the larger-scale strikes, the US has also carried out smaller attacks on Houthi weaponry, including the shooting down of drones posing an imminent threat to shipping lanes and warships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The situation in Yemen and the broader Middle East remains tense, with the US and its allies continuing to respond to threats posed by Houthi rebels and Iranian-backed groups. The goal of restoring stability and securing vital waterways remains a priority amidst the ongoing conflict.