Who are the Houthis and why are they attacking Red Sea ships? - BBC News

The Houthis in Yemen have vowed to attack all ships in the Red Sea bound for Israel.

1 day agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, ReutersImage caption, The Houthis released images showing their fighters hijacking a vessel in the Red Sea on 21 NovemberDrone and rocket attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea have now prompted US and UK-led forces to stage air strikes on targets in the region.

Western forces took action after vessels were attacked by the Houthis - an Iran-backed rebel group which controls a large part of Yemen.

US President Joe Biden said the US and UK military had successfully launched strikes early on Friday against Houthi targets with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands.

More than 12 sites, including in the capital, Sanaa, and Hudaydah, the Houthi Red Sea port stronghold, were hit. The Houthi targets in Yemen included logistical hubs, air defence systems and arms depots.

The attacks began after the start of the Israel-Hamas war on 7 October.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-67614911?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

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