US warships and planes strike Houthi targets in YemenSkip to contentBritish Broadcasting CorporationWatch LiveHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcastsRadioAudio FAQsVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherNewslettersUS warships and planes strike Houthi targets in Yemen4 October 2024Sebastian Usher & Max MatzaBBC NewsDVIDSThe US military says it has launched strikes on the Iranian-backed Houthi group in Yemen, hitting 15 targets.The Pentagon said it used aircraft and warships to launch the attacks in order "to protect freedom of navigation".Several explosions were reported in some of Yemen’s main cities, including the capital Sanaa.Since November, the Houthis have launched attacks on around 100 ships in the Red Sea, sinking two vessels. The rebel group says the attacks are retaliation for Israel's military campaign in Gaza.The week that pushed the Middle East closer to all-out warCentral Command, which oversees US military operations in the Middle East, said the attacks targeted weapons systems, bases and other equipment belonging to the Houthis.Houthi-aligned media say the Yemeni capital of Sanaa was among cities hit. On Monday, the Houthis said they had shot down a US-made MQ-9 Reaper drone over Yemen. The US military acknowledged losing an unmanned aircraft.Last week the Pentagon said the Houthis had launched "a complex attack" on US Navy ships in the region, though all of the weapons launched were shot down.Sanaa has had a respite from bombing in the past two years since fighting between the warring parties in Yemen largely subsided.As well as the attacks on ships in the Red Sea, the Houthis have fired several missiles and drones at Israel directly.In July a drone launched from Yemen struck Tel Aviv, killing one person and injuring 10. Last month, the group fired several missiles at Israel, including one that targeted Israel's main airport.Both times Israel responded by attacking sites in Yemen.Earlier this year, the US, UK and 12 other nations launched Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect Red Sea shipping lanes against the Houthis.The Houthis are part of a network of armed groups in the Middle East backed by Iran that includes Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.Who are the Houthis attacking Red Sea ships?Israel-Gaza warYemenHouthis United StatesRelated'He was unrecognisable' say family of freed hostage2 hrs agoWales'I'll be back', Israeli hostage told family - who were then killed6 hrs agoWalesAnti-Muslim hate at record level in UK, report says8 hrs agoUKMore51 mins agoUS must not interfere in Tate's case, say alleged victimsReports say US officials asked Romania to relax travel restrictions against Andrew Tate and his brother.51 mins agoWorld3 hrs ago'Help us': Hundreds deported from US held in Panama hotelIndians, Afghans and Sri Lankans are among the undocumented migrants unable to leave the hotel after being deported.3 hrs agoWorld4 hrs agoZelensky says Trump living in Russian 'disinformation space' Donald Trump's suggestion that Kyiv started the war and the Ukrainian leader is unpopular draws a sharp response.4 hrs agoWorld5 hrs agoSeven charged over burglary spree targeting pro athletes in USGoods worth more than $2m were stolen from the homes of NBA and NFL players late last year.5 hrs agoWorld5 hrs agoWhat's your message to Ukraine? - BBC asks TrumpThe US and Russia have been in peace talks about the Russia-Ukraine war that Ukraine wasn't included in.5 hrs agoWorldBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherBBC ShopBBC in other languagesFollow BBC on:Terms of UseAbout the BBCPrivacy PolicyCookiesAccessibility HelpContact the BBCAdvertise with usDo not share or sell my infoContact technical supportCopyright 2025 BBC. All rights reserved.  The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. 
I thought it was only Israel was allowed to spread chaos in the region?

We've seen Saudis try this for almost a decade with US aid and intelligence, it didn't end well.