Heavy air strikes hit Yemeni cities: Huthis, AFP correspondents

By : AFP

Date: 12 January 2024 12:21pm WAT

BRITAIN-CYRPUS-YEMEN-US-SHIPPING-CONFLICT

A handout picture released by the British Ministry of Defence (MOD) on January 12, 2024 shows a RAF Typhoon aircraft taking off RAF Akrotiri to join the US-led coalition to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen. - The United States, UK and eight allies said their joint air strikes on rebel targets in Yemen were aimed at restoring "stability in the Red Sea". The strikes came after weeks of attacks on Red Sea shipping by Iran-backed Huthi forces acting in solidarity with Hamas. (Photo by Sgt Lee Goddard / MOD / AFP) / NO USE AFTER JANUARY 14, 2024 00:00:00 GMT - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT " AFP PHOTO / CROWN COPYRIGHT 2024" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - NO ARCHIVE - TO BE USED WITHIN 2 DAYS FROM 12/01/2024 (48 HOURS), EXCEPT FOR MAGAZINES WHICH CAN PRINT THE PICTURE WHEN FIRST REPORTING ON THE EVENT - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT " AFP PHOTO / CROWN COPYRIGHT 2024" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - NO ARCHIVE - TO BE USED WITHIN 2 DAYS FROM 12/01/2024 (48 HOURS), EXCEPT FOR MAGAZINES WHICH CAN PRINT THE PICTURE WHEN FIRST REPORTING ON THE EVENT /

Heavy air strikes pounded airports and military facilities in Yemen early on Friday, the Huthi rebels’ official media and AFP correspondents said.

Sites around the capital Sanaa, Hodeida and Saada were all targeted, the Huthis’ official media said, blaming “American aggression with British participation”.

AFP correspondents reported hearing big strikes in Hodeida and Sanaa.

Missiles targeted an airbase near Sanaa, airports in Taez, Hodeida and Abs, and a military camp near Saada, the rebels’ Al-Masirah TV station said.

“Our country was subjected to a massive aggressive attack by American and British ships, submarines, and warplanes,” the Huthis’ Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Al-Ezzi said, according to rebel media.

“America and Britain will have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression,” he was quoted as saying.