Joe Biden after US, UK launch coalition strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen

Washington: After the United States, along with its allies, launched attacks in Yemen, President Joe Biden said on Thursday (local time) that the targeted strikes were a clear message that the escalation of attacks by the Houthi rebels against commercial vessels would not be tolerated.

"Today's defensive action follows this extensive diplomatic campaign and the Houthi rebels' escalating attacks against commercial vessels. These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the world's most critical commercial routes," a White House press release quoted Biden as saying.

"I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary," he said. 

The US, along with the UK and support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, conducted strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen yesterday.

In his statement, Biden said that Houthis "launched their largest attack to date--directly targeting American ships" on January 9.

"These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea--including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history. These attacks have endangered US personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardised trade, and threatened freedom of navigation," Biden said.

"More than 50 nations have been affected in 27 attacks on international commercial shipping. Crews from more than 20 countries have been threatened or taken hostage in acts of piracy. More than 2,000 ships have been forced to divert thousands of miles to avoid the Red Sea, which can cause weeks of delays in product shipping times. And on January 9, Houthis launched their largest attack to date--directly targeting American ships," he added.