Learn Biden’s Full Assertion on the Strikes in Yemen

Right here is President Biden’s full assertion on the strikes conducted against the Houthi militia in Yemen by the USA and allies, as launched by the White Home on Thursday:

At the moment, at my course, U.S. army forces — along with the UK and with assist from Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands — efficiently carried out strikes towards plenty of targets in Yemen utilized by Houthi rebels to hazard freedom of navigation in one of many world’s most important waterways.

These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi assaults towards worldwide maritime vessels within the Crimson Sea — together with using anti-ship ballistic missiles for the primary time in historical past. These assaults have endangered U.S. personnel, civilian mariners and our companions, jeopardized commerce and threatened freedom of navigation. Greater than 50 nations have been affected in 27 assaults on worldwide business delivery. Crews from greater than 20 nations have been threatened or taken hostage in acts of piracy. Greater than 2,000 ships have been pressured to divert 1000’s of miles to keep away from the Crimson Sea — which might trigger weeks of delays in product delivery occasions. And on Jan. 9, Houthis launched their largest assault thus far — instantly focusing on American ships.

The response of the worldwide group to those reckless assaults has been united and resolute. Final month, the USA launched Operation Prosperity Guardian — a coalition of greater than 20 nations dedicated to defending worldwide delivery and deterring Houthi assaults within the Crimson Sea. We additionally joined greater than 40 nations in condemning Houthi threats. Final week, along with 13 allies and companions, we issued an unequivocal warning that Houthi rebels would bear the implications if their assaults didn’t stop. And yesterday, the United Nations Safety Council handed a decision demanding the Houthis finish assaults on service provider and business vessels.

At the moment’s defensive motion follows this in depth diplomatic marketing campaign and Houthi rebels’ escalating assaults towards business vessels. These focused strikes are a transparent message that the USA and our companions won’t tolerate assaults on our personnel or enable hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of many world’s most crucial business routes. I cannot hesitate to direct additional measures to guard our individuals and the free move of worldwide commerce as essential.