UK-US strikes deliver message Houthis need to understand, Strategic Command chief says
The head of Strategic Command has said he hopes the Houthis will understand the message and stop their attacks on shipping following the joint UK-US strikes on the rebel group in Yemen.
In an exclusive interview with Forces News, General Sir Jim Hockenhull, Commander Strategic Command, said initial indications showed the strikes had been successful.
Royal Air Force Typhoons joined US forces in striking Houthi facilities in Yemen on Thursday evening after the group's continued attacks on warships and commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
Gen Sir Jim said: "I think what we've seen overnight is a limited, necessary and proportionate strike by the US and UK capabilities in response to threats which have been posed by the Houthis.
"It's too early to have the full kind of battle damage assessment of what's occurred, but initial indications are there have been a successful set of strikes.
"One hopes that this will be the message that the Houthis need to understand over stopping the activities in the Red Sea, which is posing threat both to life, but also to global trade."
The UK and US overnight hit more than 60 Houthi targets across 16 locations, with more than 100 precision-guided munitions of various types being deployed.
Four RAF Typhoons, taking off from RAF Akrotiri and supported by a Voyager air refuelling tanker, deployed Paveway IV guided bombs to conduct precision strikes on two Houthi facilities.
The Ministry of Defence said particular care had been taken to minimise any risk to civilians when planning the strikes.
Number 10 has rejected criticism that the air strikes against the Houthis were not proportionate.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the strikes sent a "strong signal" that the militants' attacks in the Red Sea cannot be carried out with "impunity".
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