Biden concedes Houthis haven’t been deterred from carrying out attacks as US launches further strikes
(CNN) — President Joe Biden conceded Thursday that strikes against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen are not deterring the groups’ attacks in the Red Sea, as a US official told CNN the military carried out further strikes against the group in Yemen on Thursday.
Posted — UpdatedThe fifth US attack on Houthi assets in one week targeted a small number of anti-ship missiles that were being prepared to launch against international shipping lanes, the official said.
On Thursday, Biden said that strikes on the Houthis will continue - even if they aren’t stopping the group from carrying out attacks.
Asked at the White House if the strikes are working, the president responded: “When you say working are they stopping the Houthis? No.”
“Are they going to continue? Yes,” he added.
The strikes on Thursday are the latest in a series of actions against the Houthis, following significant US-led strikes last week with the UK, and support from a handful of other allies. They come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and fears that the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza could further spill out into the region.
CNN has asked the Pentagon for comment on the latest strikes.
This story is breaking and will be updated.
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