Yemen’s Houthis launch new missile attack in Red Sea following air strikes | BBC News

Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who control much of the country, have responded to airstrikes on their country by firing another ballistic missile at shipping in the Red Sea. It failed to hit its target but the Houthis warned that the US and its allies "will pay a heavy price, for their aggression".

The US said it was not interested in a war with Yemen – just hours after America and allies attacked Houthi rebel positions there. Five people were killed and six wounded in the missile strikes – but a White House spokesman said President Biden’s actions were about preventing any escalation of conflict.

A coalition of countries were involved in the military operation which they said was intended to destroy Houthi military infrastructure and munitions. Some of the targets were in the Yemeni capital Sana’a.

The joint military strikes were in response to nearly two months of attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi movement on cargo ships in the Red Sea, disrupting commercial shipping and the global economy. The Houthis say they’re responding to western backing of Israel and giving support to the Palestinians in Gaza.

Reeta Chakrabarti presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Jeremy Bowen.

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