INTERNACIONAL
US bombers strike Yemen weapons facilities controlled by Houthi forces
The United States has attacked five military sites controlled by Houthi forces in Yemen by using B-2 bombers for precision strikes against weapons storage locations.
«U.S. forces targeted several of the Houthis’ underground facilities housing various weapons components of types that the Houthis have used to target civilian and military vessels throughout the region,» Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said in a statement.
«This was a unique demonstration of the United States’ ability to target facilities that our adversaries seek to keep out of reach, no matter how deeply buried underground, hardened, or fortified.»
DISAPPROVAL MOUNTS BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD AS US AVOIDS DIRECT ACTION AGAINST HOUTHI REBELS
Austin said the employment of U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit long-range stealth bombers demonstrated U.S. global strike capabilities to «take action against these targets when necessary, anytime, anywhere.»
«For over a year, the Iran-backed Houthis, Specially Designated Global Terrorists, have recklessly and unlawfully attacked U.S. and international vessels transiting the Red Sea, the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden,» he said.
The Houthis’ illegal attacks continue to disrupt the free flow of international commerce, threaten environmental catastrophe, and put innocent civilian lives and U.S. and partner forces’ lives at risk, he said.
U.S. FORCES DESTROY MULTIPLE HOUTHI WEAPONS, VEHICLES IN PAST 24 HOURS: CENTCOM
Austin said the attack was approved by President Joe Biden.
«At the direction of President Biden, I authorized these targeted strikes to further degrade the Houthis’ capability to continue their destabilizing behavior and to protect and defend U.S. forces and personnel in one of the world’s most critical waterways.
«Again, the United States will not hesitate to take action to defend American lives and assets; to deter attacks against civilians and our regional partners; and to protect freedom of navigation and increase the safety and security in these waterways for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels.
«We will continue to make clear to the Houthis that there will be consequences for their illegal and reckless attacks. I am grateful for the professionalism and skill of the brave American troops who took part in today’s actions and who continue to stand guard in defense of our Nation.»
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Early assessments by the U.S. Central Command indicate that none of the strikes injured any civilians. Here’s some background about the Houthi effects in the Middle East and throughout shipping corridors in the region:
- The Houths have launched at least 270 attacks on U.S. Navy ships, commercial shipping and coalition ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since last November, according to U.S. defense officials
- The Houthis have shot down at least eight U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones since Oct. 7th last year. Each of these drones costs up to $32 million dollars
- At least 29 major energy and shipping companies have changed their routes to avoid Houthi attacks
- At least 65 countries have been affected by the Houthi attacks, including Russia, Iran and China
- Container shipping in the Red Sea has declined by 90% since December of 2023
- Shipping through the Red Sea accounts for 10-15% of all international maritime trade
- Alternate shipping routes around Africa add 11,000 nautical miles, 1-2 weeks of transit time and $1 million in fuel costs for each voyage
- Humanitarian aid for both Sudan and Yemen has been delayed significantly because the ships have to go around Africa
INTERNACIONAL
IDF investigating whether Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar was killed in Gaza operations
The Israel Defense Forces and the country’s domestic security agency Shin Bet have announced that it is investigating whether Hamas terror chief Yahya Sinwar was killed on Thursday in the Gaza Strip.
The agencies said in a joint statement that «During IDF operations in the Gaza Strip, three terrorists were eliminated» and that it was «checking the possibility that one of the terrorists was Yahya Sinwar.»
«In the building where the terrorists were eliminated, there were no signs of the presence of hostages in the area,» they added. «The forces that are operating in the area are continuing to operate with the required caution.»
Referred to by Israel as the Butcher of Khan Younis for his violent and cruel torture methods against his enemies, both Israeli and Palestinian, Sinwar, 60, is widely seen as being behind the massacre of Israeli civilians carried out by thousands of Hamas militants on Oct. 7.
HAMAS NAMES YAHYA SINWAR, MASTERMIND OF OCT. 7 ATTACKS, AS ITS NEW LEADER
Israeli Defense Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht had told reporters last October that «Sinwar is the leader of Hamas in Gaza and he’s a dead man walking.»
«We will get to him, however long it takes… and this war could be long,» he said.
Sinwar was believed to be somewhere in the Palestinian enclave but hidden deep underground in the warren of tunnels Hamas uses to transport weapons and fighters and where they may even be keeping the hostages, was born in the Khan Younis refugee camp when the area was part of Egypt.
According to multiple sources, he was always a militant activist and joined Hamas not long after its founding in 1987. Two years later, he was arrested by Israel for his involvement in the abduction and killing of two Israelis, as well as the torturing and murder of four Palestinians he considered to be collaborators.
ISRAEL’S HUNT FOR HAMAS TERROR LEADER YAHYA SINWAR: ‘DEAD MAN WALKING’
Sentenced to life in prison, Sinwar ended up serving 22 years in an Israeli jail and was eventually released as part of a prisoner exchange for the abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2011.
«Sinwar has been active since the early days of Hamas,» Kobi Michael, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, previously told Fox News Digital. «In jail, he became a prominent leader of Hamas prisoners and was a very influential figure among all Palestinian prisoners.»
After being returned to Gaza as part of the Shalit deal, Sinwar became a popular leader in Hamas, an affiliate of the Muslim Brotherhood, and in 2017 was elected by secret ballot to replace the incumbent political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Iran this July.
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Following Haniyeh’s death, Sinwar was named Hamas’ new leader.
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