U.S., Britain launch airstrikes against Houthi camps in Yemen

SANAA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-British coalition struck Houthi camps in Yemen's capital and other provinces at midnight, the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported Tuesday.

The strikes targeted the al-Hafa camp in eastern Sanaa and the al-Daylami air base in the north. They also hit sites in Rada, a city in the central province of al-Bayda, and Maqbanah area in the southwestern province of Taiz, the TV said without giving details.

Residents said the explosions were powerful and their sounds could be heard across the city.

Meanwhile, U.S. media reported that the United States and Britain carried out strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen late Monday, the eighth round of attacks on the rebels' camps in just over 10 days.

The strikes came hours after the Houthis said they launched a missile attack at a U.S. military ship in the Gulf of Aden on Monday and claimed a direct hit. The U.S. side did not comment on the alleged attack.

The U.S.-Britain maritime coalition in the Red Sea has carried out several airstrikes on Houthi camps in various northern provinces of Yemen. The coalition said these actions are aimed at preventing the Houthi group from launching missile and drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea shipping lane.

The Houthi group vowed to continue targeting ships linked to Israel in the Red Sea until Israel ends its war and blockade on Gaza, a Palestinian territory.

Last week, the United States re-designated the Houthi group as a global terrorist organization and said the move would not affect food and medicine supplies to northern Yemen.