Washington does not want its operation in the Red Sea to turn into a conflict with Yemen, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told CBS on Sunday.
The comments came amid media reports about further strikes launched against Yemeni targets by American and British forces on the same day, as reported by Russian TV network RT.
Last week, the US and UK launched a military operation in the Red Sea in response to the actions of the Yemen forces Houthis. The Houthis have pledged solidarity with Palestinians amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. They have also vowed to target merchant vessels sailing through the Gulf of Aden until Israel stops its war with Hamas. In Gaza, Israel has killed more than 24,000 Palestinians.
More than 50 countries have been affected by 27 Houthi attacks on ships as of mid-January, the US said.
American and British forces launched sorties against dozens of Houthi-related targets in Yemen over the past few days.
When asked about the course of the operation, Kirby praised the military effort, saying, “we think we had good effect.”
He added that the air raids were aimed at “degrading” the Houthis’ ability to conduct their own strikes.
