US-UK Naval Forces Conduct Airstrike on Houthi Facility in Yemen; Friendly Fire Downs Own Aircraft
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Sanaa, Dec 22 (NationPress) The coalition comprising the US and UK naval forces carried out a significant airstrike targeting a Houthi facility in the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah early on Sunday, as reported by local media.
This operation focused on the Al-Luhayyah area of Hodeidah, although further specifics and casualty figures were not disclosed by the reports.
As of now, the coalition has yet to provide any commentary regarding the alleged airstrike, as per Xinhua news agency, which referenced Houthi-operated al-Masirah TV.
On Saturday evening, the US Central Command released a statement indicating that its forces executed precise airstrikes against a missile storage site and a command-and-control center controlled by the Houthis in Sanaa, the capital.
The command units also reported the interception of several Houthi one-way attack drones and an anti-ship cruise missile over the Red Sea, as stated in their report.
The airstrikes were conducted shortly after the Houthis claimed responsibility for a ballistic missile strike on central Israel, resulting in injuries to at least 20 individuals in Tel Aviv.
In another development, the US military announced that a US F/A-18 fighter jet was unintentionally shot down due to friendly fire over the Red Sea while airstrikes were being executed in Yemen.
During this episode, two US Navy pilots were downed; fortunately, both were rescued safely, although one pilot sustained minor injuries.
Since November 2023, the Houthis have been actively engaging in rocket and drone assaults targeting Israeli cities while disrupting shipping activities linked to Israel in the Red Sea.
In retaliation, the US-led naval coalition stationed in the region has been conducting regular airstrikes against Houthi positions since January, in an effort to counter the militant group.
Recently, Houthi military officials reported that US and British aircraft had executed new aggression against targets in Hodeidah, a strategically important province located along the Red Sea coast of western Yemen.
The report indicated that the allied forces targeted the At-Tuhayta district in southern Hodeidah, although precise details about the aerial assault were not readily available.
Additionally, local sources affiliated with the Houthi faction claimed that an airstrike hit a crucial military site belonging to the Houthis in Hodeidah.
