UK/USA aircraft start striking targets in Yemen

[Wokkafans]

Usual caveats - quite a few social media accounts reporting that this is underway.

"Airstrikes by U.S. and British Aircraft have so far Targeted the Cities of Hodeidah, Taizz, and Zabid as well as the Capital of Sana'a in Houthi-Controlled Western Yemen."

https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1745592593054839085?s=20 (https://x.com/sentdefender/status/1745592593054839085?s=20)

https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1745592593054839085?s=20 (https://x.com/sentdefender/status/1745592593054839085?s=20)

[Wokkafans]

The U.S. Department of Defense has announced that the United States and Britain with the Support of Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands have conducted Joint Missile and Airstrikes tonight against the Houthi Terrorist Group in Western Yemen, in order to prevent their further Targeting of Commercial Shipping in the Red Sea.

https://x.com/sentdefender/status/1745597724295110959?s=20

https://x.com/sentdefender/status/1745597724295110959?s=20

[Wokkafans]

Usual caveats:

"American-British raids targeting the Yemeni governorate of Saada, a short while ago."

https://x.com/PalestineNW/status/1745596119491420414?s=20

https://x.com/PalestineNW/status/1745596119491420414?s=20

[Wokkafans]

Statement from President Joe Biden on Coalition Strikes in Houthi-Controlled Areas in Yemen


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/594x1024/gdmivltwoaab8uw_5eed9889ebdcd73f495d41da9acc461cb7176edd.jpg

[Wokkafans]

UK Gov Statement: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-statement-on-strikes-against-houthi-military-targets-12-january-2024

"The Royal Air Force has carried out targeted strikes against military facilities used by Houthi rebels in Yemen.In recent months, the Houthi militia have carried out a series of dangerous and destabilising attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, threatening UK and other international ships, causing major disruption to a vital trade route and driving up commodity prices. Their reckless actions are risking lives at sea and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea, including against UK and US warships just this week.

This cannot stand. The United Kingdom will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade. We have therefore taken limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence, alongside the United States with non-operational support from the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain against targets tied to these attacks, to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping.

The Royal Navy continues to patrol the Red Sea as part of the multinational Operation Prosperity Guardian to deter further Houthi aggression, and we urge them to cease their attacks and take steps to de-escalate."

[artee]

UK Gov Statement: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-statement-on-strikes-against-houthi-military-targets-12-january-2024

"The Royal Air Force has carried out targeted strikes against military facilities used by Houthi rebels in Yemen.In recent months, the Houthi militia have carried out a series of dangerous and destabilising attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, threatening UK and other international ships, causing major disruption to a vital trade route and driving up commodity prices. Their reckless actions are risking lives at sea and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea, including against UK and US warships just this week.

This cannot stand. The United Kingdom will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade. We have therefore taken limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence, alongside the United States with non-operational support from the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain against targets tied to these attacks, to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping.

The Royal Navy continues to patrol the Red Sea as part of the multinational Operation Prosperity Guardian to deter further Houthi aggression, and we urge them to cease their attacks and take steps to de-escalate."
RAF? What assets, and where from?

[Wokkafans]

"First images from the UK of its attack against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Four Typhoon jets - supported by a Voyager refuelling aircraft - dropped Paveway bombs on 2 military facilities used by Houthis to launch drone and missile strikes."

https://x.com/haynesdeborah/status/1745612465226801604?s=20

https://x.com/haynesdeborah/status/1745612465226801604?s=20


https://x.com/Osinttechnical/status/1745614951245398449?s=20

​​​​​​​https://x.com/Osinttechnical/status/1745614951245398449?s=20

[Wokkafans]

RAF? What assets, and where from?


Four Typhoons (plus spare) and a Voyager from Akrotiri apparently.

Clip here: https://www.reddit.com/r/CombatFootage/comments/194ia2y/raf_typhoons_and_voyager_aircraft_take_off_from/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

[tartare]

Good.
Supported by Australia - is there a RAAF Wedgetail or KC30 up there?
Or was it just RAAF bodies helping with targeting?
I see from previous releases we have six people up there - but assume there are still no support aircraft.
Latest news seems to be it was 4 RAF Typhoons using Paveways that did the bombing part...

[rattman]

Good.

Latest news seems to be it was 4 RAF Typhoons using Paveways that did the bombing part...


Hornets and growlers off the eisenhower, 4 typhoons from cyprus with 2 tankers, B-2 was allegedly spotted in the UAE an hour before. P-8 was spotted on ADSB off the coast <hour before the strike and tomahawks off the SSGN USS florida

[Runaway Gun]

And now a Houthi spokesperson claims they downed an F-22.

[fdr]

And now a Houthi spokesperson claims they downed an F-22.

with a... machete?

[Dr Jekyll]

Would the RAF aircraft gave flown over Saudi on the way? Or would it e Egypt or a very long way round?

[Bob Viking]

Straight down the Red Sea I would imagine. Though I should add I have no actual idea.

BV

[lederhosen]

I cannot imagine Israel objecting to overflight which is hardly a detour either. Egypt also has self interest in having the canal accessible. The only surprise is the Houthis complaining how unfair it is that people are shooting back.

[DogTailRed2]

Is this the modern day equivalent of Hawker Hinds dropping bombs on rogue Arab leaders in the 20's and 30's? Nothing changes out there does it.

[Easy Street]

It would not have been politically wise to have overflown Israel for this purpose even if permission were (undoubtedly) forthcoming. Egypt has a very obvious incentive to approve, nay encourage overflight, and using that route is obviously consistent with the aim of protecting shipping. Some carrier advocates have been ventilating their usual arguments about the risk of relying on overflight permissions, rather overlooking the fact that Egypt would need to permit a Suez transit for the carrier to get on station (unless prepared to wait an extra few weeks for a trip via the Cape). There's also the fact that operations are hardly ever carried out against the wishes of *all* regional players; even carriers need shore logistic support for any kind of sustained operation.

I thought Jeremy Bowen's commentary on the 10 o'clock News last night was disgraceful, essentially parroting Houthi talking points on Israel and making no reference to international trade or freedom of navigation. One only has to look at the Norwegian, Iraqi and Turkish interests of the ships targeted thus far by the Houthis and Iran to realise that their stated constraint of only interfering with shipping to Israel is total rubbish. The official US and UK statements are at least clear.

[Timelord]

I agree about Jeremy Bowen last night. He also failed to mention the small point that the Houthis had attacked a British warship going about its lawful pursuits in international waters. That alone is a reason for action.

[Davef68]

I cannot imagine Israel objecting to overflight which is hardly a detour either. Egypt also has self interest in having the canal accessible. The only surprise is the Houthis complaining how unfair it is that people are shooting back.
And the Saudi's aren't friends with the Houthis either

[pr00ne]

Is this the modern day equivalent of Hawker Hinds dropping bombs on rogue Arab leaders in the 20's and 30's? Nothing changes out there does it.


No it is not! The Houthi's are capable of mounting simultaneous UAV Drone, anti-ship cruise missile and anti-ship ballistic missile attacks on both Naval vessels and merchant ships, whom they have also captured via heli-borne assault. So yes, a LOT changes! And the Houthi's have been under near daily air attack from the Saudi's since 2015...

[SLXOwft]

And the Saudi's aren't friends with the Houthis either

However, the events in Gaza have consequences and they won't want to be seen overtly aiding the 'Crusaders' who 1)are perceived as unquestioning backers of Israel and 2) whose chattering classes were constantly condemning the Saudi's actions in Yemen.

I presume targeting data would have to be updated using satellite and USN assest intelligence fairly late in the mission on a 3000nm round trip if the targets were mobile weapons rather than command and control?

The Cyprus Mail has been reassuring its readers about the danger of Houthi responses:
The Houthi movement has access to long-range missiles, though it is believed the maximum range of any of their equipment is 1,950 kilometres – less than the distance between Yemen and Cyprus.

[RudderTrimZero]

https://x.com/HensonJames11/status/1745531291980755040?s=20

[langleybaston]

I agree about Jeremy Bowen last night. He also failed to mention the small point that the Houthis had attacked a British warship going about its lawful pursuits in international waters. That alone is a reason for action.

More elegantly and traditionally:

......... and a security for such as pass on the seas upon their lawful occasions: that the inhabitants of our island may in peace and quietness serve thee our God; ..........................

[dead_pan]

And the Houthi's have been under near daily air attack from the Saudi's since 2015...

indeed. Not sure what additional impact these attacks will have.

[Wokkafans]

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1080x1080/gdqlnk3xuaeqyes_7b09b1a843fa84dd0bbf48fdd90d9f2c2e4814cf.jpg

[Wokkafans]

Updated UK MOD footage of last night's strikes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxCeQ_tSB5g

[Timelord]

More elegantly and traditionally:

......... and a security for such as pass on the seas upon their lawful occasions: that the inhabitants of our island may in peace and quietness serve thee our God; ..........................

Thank you LB. As read by Noel Coward in “ In which we serve”

[tartare]

indeed. Not sure what additional impact these attacks will have.

My thoughts exactly. With no disrespect to those who carried out yesterday's strikes - haven't the Saudis been hitting the Houthis for years now with very similar weapons, using similar aircraft to little avail?
Granted coalition will have much better surveillance, intel etc... and be able to bring greater numbers of weapons to the fight.

[Lookleft]

The Saudis were not attacking a specific capability, they were attacking the Houthis in general. What the USA and the UK strikes are doing is attacking missile sites and the ability of the Houthis to launch missiles against shipping. The West have been doing this sort of thing since 1991 so I think they are proficient at it. I also think that the Allied pilots will have tighter ROE than the Saudis.

[TURIN]

https://x.com/HensonJames11/status/1745531291980755040?s=20
Quite.

[fdr]

Some secondaries in the IR videos, it wasn't just a sandpit that got struck.

[ORAC]

Anither US Tomahawk attack last night on an airfield AD radar site near the capital.

Presumably a mopping up exercise post-BDR from the previous night’s attack.

https://x.com/sentdefender/status/1745981309179027849?s=61&t=rmEeUn68HhlFHGKbTPQr_A
​​​​​​​

[DogTailRed2]

Anither US Tomahawk attack last night on an airfield AD radar site near the capital.

Presumably a mopping up exercise post-BDR from the previous night’s attack.
Would these sites have been identified as threats from the previous nights raid? Presumably they at least tracked coalition aircraft opening them up to attack?

[dead_pan]

My thoughts exactly. With no disrespect to those who carried out yesterday's strikes - haven't the Saudis been hitting the Houthis for years now with very similar weapons, using similar aircraft to little avail?
Granted coalition will have much better surveillance, intel etc... and be able to bring greater numbers of weapons to the fight.

The Yanks maybe. Not sure we'll be seeing that many 3000nm round trip sorties from the UK component. More of a symbolic effort IMO.

Just route the ships around the Cape and accept it'll take a few weeks longer and cost a bit more to get our cheap Chineses tat - job done.

[Rockie_Rapier]

Just route the ships around the Cape and accept it'll take a few weeks longer and cost a bit more to get our cheap Chineses tat - job done.
Indeed, one wonders if protecting the Chinese trade effort is the best use of UK taxpayers money.

Back in the day, when the British empire was the world's larges trading entity, the Royal Navy was the world's largest in order to protect that trade.
Seems like China has been getting a free ride at UK/US expense.

[Geriaviator]

To add to this, reported this morning that the French, Germans and Italians are playing no part in the action.

[SLXOwft]

According to Reuters 'experts' the emphasis on the Houthis risk increasing piracy elsewhere which I assume includes threats to ships on the Cape Route. (5 Jan story about Indian Navy's intervention in the attempted hijack of MV Lila Norfolk)

The Indian Navy has increased its surveillance of the Arabian Sea after recent attacks in the region.

The hijacking and attempted hijacking of commercial ships in the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea resumed in December after a six-year lull. Experts believe pirates have been encouraged by U.S.-led anti-piracy naval forces diverting their attention to the neighbouring Red Sea to thwart attacks there by Houthi rebels.

Data from the Indian Navy's Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region show at least three hijackings in December. The previous such incident was reported in 2017.

"The sudden revival in ship hijacking and attacks can only be attributed to the pirates' willingness to take advantage of the fact that the focus of anti-piracy maritime forces has largely shifted from the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea," Abhijit Singh, head of the Maritime Policy Initiative at the Observer Research Foundation think tank in New Delhi, said.

[Martin the Martian]

Would the RAF aircraft gave flown over Saudi on the way? Or would it e Egypt or a very long way round?

Straight down the Red Sea I would imagine. Though I should add I have no actual idea.

BV

I cannot imagine Israel objecting to overflight which is hardly a detour either. Egypt also has self interest in having the canal accessible. The only surprise is the Houthis complaining how unfair it is that people are shooting back.

Rishi Sunak spoke with the Egyptian President on Thursday. I guess it's no surprise just what they were talking about.

[Mogwi]

I noticed on the Beeb news last night that the third F18 seemed to go off the cat dry. Surely this isn’t SOP. There also seemed to be some flashes from under the wings just as it went out of shot, which made me wonder if it was a “clear wing” moment.

Anyone with F18 experience out there have a view?

Mog

[mattaddiction]

I noticed on the Beeb news last night that the third F18 seemed to go off the cat dry. Surely this isn’t SOP. There also seemed to be some flashes from under the wings just as it went out of shot, which made me wonder if it was a “clear wing” moment.

Anyone with F18 experience out there have a view?

Mog

Dry as in dry thrust? If so, the Superhornet doesn't need AB under a certain gross weight (big enough motors fitted) to get off the deck.

m

[DogTailRed2]

Everyone getting wrapped up in the rights, and wrongs of us striking back. They attacked our ships. Isn't that good enough?

[Ninthace]

Not sure it is. Return fire, knock out the bogey but beyond that, surely it depends on the ROE in force?

[dagenham]

I noticed on the Beeb news last night that the third F18 seemed to go off the cat dry. Surely this isn’t SOP. There also seemed to be some flashes from under the wings just as it went out of shot, which made me wonder if it was a “clear wing” moment.

Anyone with F18 experience out there have a view?

Mog

mog

you can take a shot in mil if the bird is below 43,000 ( or there abouts ) and need max if above. There where some issues with fan stalls back in the day and you where advised not to go to ab as it would clear. Not sure of the score now

[tdracer]

Indeed, one wonders if protecting the Chinese trade effort is the best use of UK taxpayers money.

Back in the day, when the British empire was the world's larges trading entity, the Royal Navy was the world's largest in order to protect that trade.
Seems like China has been getting a free ride at UK/US expense.

China isn't the only trading partner in that part of the world. Japan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Singapore, etc. etc. etc.
Yes, China is the biggest, but they are far from being alone.

[langleybaston]

Not sure it is. Return fire, knock out the bogey but beyond that, surely it depends on the ROE in force?

Is not "shoot the archer not the arrow" the current mantra? And cheaper in the long run.

[GreenXCode]

I noticed on the Beeb news last night that the third F18 seemed to go off the cat dry. Surely this isn’t SOP. There also seemed to be some flashes from under the wings just as it went out of shot, which made me wonder if it was a “clear wing” moment.

Anyone with F18 experience out there have a view?

Mog

Surprised you still need a reply Mog so here goes. Live near one of the two Master Jet bases so not current F18. The view seems to be when a G is not also in buddy-buddy refuelling fit (S-3 Viking role) ie. just Growler work, dry take-off from carriers is OK; it’s a question of fuel v number of jammers reqd. More FAA pilots than RAF on F18 now but it would appear the F/A 18E/F/G (all USN) is more than just a replacement for the grand Tomcat

[Ninthace]

Is not "shoot the archer not the arrow" the current mantra? And cheaper in the long run.
Not necessarily in these enlightened times. ROE are as much political as practical and often quite complex. Shooting the arrow removes the immediate threat, killing the archer may provoke a wider conflict and requires a decision above the Commanding Officer’s pay grade.

[CISTRS]

China has a PLA(N) base in Djibouti, but keeps out of the whole affair.

[Low average]

Really not sure what the strategy is here.

The US and UK are painted as taking this action in isolation. Why should they protect the shipping routes for Italy, France, Germany etc? Also, the intention to strike was telegraphed to the media in advance, giving the Houthis time to prepare, so this doesn't seem like a serious effort to me?

[Asturias56]

China has a PLA(N) base in Djibouti, but keeps out of the whole affair.

IIRC they did intervene on the piracy off Somalia

[Less Hair]

Wouldn't this be some UN business? Does this mean no more UN action to protect global trade routes? Will the security council be unable to act anywhere due to Russia's war with Ukraine?

[Asturias56]

The Security Council can only act if they agree - or more likely no-one objects. Russia will almost certainly object

[B Fraser]

Not sure it is. Return fire, knock out the bogey but beyond that, surely it depends on the ROE in force?

.......followed by waiting for them to do it again ?

[Ninthace]

.......followed by waiting for them to do it again ?
That;s pretty much what they were doing before the recent raids and probably what they are doing now,

[Right20deg]

And then we will hit them again.....hard as we can. I believe that several nations support the action taken by the US and UK. Nay pussy foot allowed.
Maybe we share out the costs of this little visit just like a layover meal down route. OK who had the Blooming Onion and extra beers?

[Video Mixdown]

That;s pretty much what they were doing before the recent raids and probably what they are doing now,
The difference is that those sponsoring and launching the attacks on shipping now have new information:
The attacks can and will be detected and the missiles destroyed.
The launch facilities can and will be destroyed.
The retaliatory strikes mounted so far amount to little more than a firepower demonstration.
There is nothing they can do to prevent them.
​​​​​​

​​​

[Ninthace]

We were discussing the situation from the Captains' point of view and the possibility of shooting back. If you are in a naval vessel on the receiving end, not that much has changed tactically - still on the look out for incoming and engaging it before it can hit its target. Hopefully, from their point of view, the enemy has less intelligence on the course and speed of potential targets and perhaps less ammunition at his disposal.

[ORAC]

It’s far cheaper to drop a couple of Paveway IV bombs at $30K a shot to destroy xx number of drones or SRBM at once than to later use $1M+ Aster missiles to intercept them one at a time….

[Ninthace]

It’s far cheaper to drop a couple of Paveway IV bombs at $30K a shot to destroy xx number of drones or SRBM at once than to later use $1M+ Aster missiles to intercept them one at a time….
Indeed it is, but foreign policy is not necessarily conducted by accountants and the consequences of dropping said Paveway(s) may be far more costly than the price of the bomb or a shipload of missiles.

[Mogwi]

Indeed it is, but foreign policy is not necessarily conducted by accountants and the consequences of dropping said Paveway(s) may be far more costly than the price of the bomb or a shipload of missiles.

So perhaps don’t tell them what hit them?

Mog

[Ninthace]

So perhaps don’t tell them what hit them?

Mog
Pretty sure they could guess the who, what and why anyway, given the preceding rhetoric. The fragments might confirm their suspicions and and anyway, we know who would get the blame.

[ORAC]

US fighter aircraft shot down an anti-ship cruise missile fired from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen (https://www.theguardian.com/world/yemen) at one of its warships in the Red Sea, the US military said on Sunday night.

The missile was fired towards the USS Laboon which was operating in the Southern Red Sea, US Central Command said in a statement, in what appears to be the first such attempt on a US destroyer. No injuries or damage were reported, Central Command said.

The incident follows warnings from Houthis (https://www.theguardian.com/world/houthi) and their allies of possible further military action in the aftermath of Friday’s US-UK bombing of rebel-held areas in Yemen. Initial briefings from the US suggested that only about a quarter of the Houthis’ missile and drone attack capability had been destroyed in that attack.

A Houthi supporter said on Sunday that the group’s attacks on merchant shipping travelling the busy waterway south of the Suez Canal would continue “because they are at war with Israel”.

Hussain al-Bukhaiti said that if the US and UK continued to bomb Yemen, Houthi forces would attack western warships “maybe using hundreds of drones and missiles,” which would represent a significant escalation.

[fdr]

US fighter aircraft shot down an anti-ship cruise missile fired from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen (https://www.theguardian.com/world/yemen) at one of its warships in the Red Sea, the US military said on Sunday night.

The missile was fired towards the USS Laboon which was operating in the Southern Red Sea, US Central Command said in a statement, in what appears to be the first such attempt on a US destroyer. No injuries or damage were reported, Central Command said.

The incident follows warnings from Houthis (https://www.theguardian.com/world/houthi) and their allies of possible further military action in the aftermath of Friday’s US-UK bombing of rebel-held areas in Yemen. Initial briefings from the US suggested that only about a quarter of the Houthis’ missile and drone attack capability had been destroyed in that attack.

A Houthi supporter said on Sunday that the group’s attacks on merchant shipping travelling the busy waterway south of the Suez Canal would continue “because they are at war with Israel”.

Hussain al-Bukhaiti said that if the US and UK continued to bomb Yemen, Houthi forces would attack western warships “maybe using hundreds of drones and missiles,” which would represent a significant escalation.

Do the Houthi's keep time and calendars as the rest of the world does? Seems they have cause and effect out of order with their rhetoric on Israel and the Palestinians. Can't say that I was in favour of the KSA attacks against Yemen in the past, but that may need a review.

[Right20deg]

Facts 4 eu.org ....quote " The EU shows it is a long way from having any credible foreign and defence policy....
On 11-12 January 2024 in response to continued illegal and potentially lethal Houthi attacks against commercial shipping transiting the Red Sea and Suez Canal, the armed forces of the United States and the United Kingdom, with non-operational backing from the Netherlands, Canada, Bahrain, and Australia, conducted joint strikes against a number of targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. This was in accordance with the inherent right of individual and collective self-defence, consistent with the UN Charter.

Germany and Denmark have since signed a joint statement in support of the attacks, but France, Italy and Spain refused. Only jets from the UK and US were involved. The UK Typhoons flew the missions from their base in Cyprus.". ends
________________
Divi up the costs and send to all. What a bunch of hangers on.

[mahogany bob]

Very long sortie
night tanking
single pilot
potentially very hazardous mission

these Typhoon pilots deserve a lot of praise!

[ASRAAMTOO]

Firstly, it’s a long way from Cyprus to Yemen so well done to the folks involved in this mission and those supporting it.

Next, it was of course only a matter of time before a retired Fish head wrote to the Times demanding to know why we have not dispatched an aircraft carrier to the Red Sea. Whilst I rarely agree with anything retired senior naval officers say it is in this case a valid question so I thought I would start speculating on reasons why not. Semi serious perhaps but all contributions valid!

The obvious ones, we don’t have enough aircraft, we don’t have enough crews, neither are combat ready. The aircraft don’t yet have clearance to drop anything, we are concerned that we don’t have enough escort vessels to prevent the carrier getting hit by a missile.

All these points are pure speculation but the carriers take a HUGE chunk of the defence budget so if we don’t use then now what’s the point?

[ORAC]

Because HMSQNLZ is preparing to deploy, with her F-35s, on Exercise Steadfast Defender.

MOD has confirmed that, if required, she can redeploy at short notice.

However, much as retired admirals would like the publicity, the USN are capable of doing the job with the RAF providing token international air support as and when required.

[Video Mixdown]

Firstly, it’s a long way from Cyprus to Yemen so well done to the folks involved in this mission and those supporting it.

Next, it was of course only a matter of time before a retired Fish head wrote to the Times demanding to know why we have not dispatched an aircraft carrier to the Red Sea. Whilst I rarely agree with anything retired senior naval officers say it is in this case a valid question so I thought I would start speculating on reasons why not. Semi serious perhaps but all contributions valid!

The obvious ones, we don’t have enough aircraft, we don’t have enough crews, neither are combat ready. The aircraft don’t yet have clearance to drop anything, we are concerned that we don’t have enough escort vessels to prevent the carrier getting hit by a missile.
All these points are pure speculation but the carriers take a HUGE chunk of the defence budget so if we don’t use then now what’s the point?
You have no evidence that any of what you say is true. Decisions about the use of military resources are not made because of what's written in newspaper articles.

[keith williams]

Because the crabs (two legged variety) run naval aviation these days and they don't like going to sea.

[Ninthace]

Because it is unnecessary at this time? There are enough carriers already on station.

[SLXOwft]

The Security Council can only act if they agree - or more likely no-one objects. Russia will almost certainly object

The Security Council passed resolution 2722( Security Council Resolution 2722 - UNSCR (http://unscr.com/en/resolutions/2722) ) before the US/UK strikes, Russia and China abstained and didn't exercise their right to veto although they clearly knew what was coming.

Prior to the adoption, Vassily A. Nebenzia (Russian Federation) said that his country takes questions involving international shipping seriously, expressing concern over the situation in the Red Sea. However, he noted that the United States and its allies preferred to choose a path of unilateral solutions to a problem by force, cobbling together a so-called “international coalition” to ensure security. He stressed that the authors of the resolution are not trying to ensure security in the Red Sea but, rather, to legitimize the coalition’s actions in hindsight and achieve an open-ended blessing from the Council. (source press.un.org)

UNSCR 2722

(...) 2. Demands that the Houthis immediately cease all such attacks, which impede global commerce and undermine navigational rights and freedoms as well as regional peace and security, and further demands that the Houthis immediately release the Galaxy Leader and its crew;
3. Affirms the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms by merchant and commercial vessels, in accordance with international law, must be respected, and takes note of the right of Member States, in accordance with international law, to defend their vessels from attacks, including those that undermine navigational rights and freedoms;
4. Commends the efforts by Member States within the framework of the International Maritime Organization, to enhance the safety and secure transit of merchant and commercial vessels of all States through the Red Sea; (...)

[ASRAAMTOO]

You have no evidence that any of what you say is true. Decisions about the use of military resources are not made because of what's written in newspaper articles.

Of course I don’t, that would be why I said it was all speculation and that is why this is a RUMOUR network. If I wanted fact I’d watch the BBC.

PS For clarity the bit about getting facts from todays BBC was VERY MUCH tongue in cheek!

[639]

'orrid Little Tw@t with a reservation in the best Bunker in Town seems to think WW3 is a Go.....

No money left except for killing people (https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/defending-britain-from-a-more-dangerous-world)

[Mogwi]

Sorry, even though I agree with a lot of what he says, I couldn’t force myself to read it right to the end. Didn’t his school teacher tell him that paragraphs need at least two sentences?

The country deserves better than him in that pivotal röle, especially at this juncture in history.

Mog

[DogTailRed2]

My father who was in the Navy would say "Because a single pilot and aircraft is cheaper to replace than a carrier".
Why risk the carrier fighting a not very important enemy when you can send a few planes?

[TURIN]

Facts 4 eu.org ....quote " The EU shows it is a long way from having any credible foreign and defence policy....
On 11-12 January 2024 in response to continued illegal and potentially lethal Houthi attacks against commercial shipping transiting the Red Sea and Suez Canal, the armed forces of the United States and the United Kingdom, with non-operational backing from the Netherlands, Canada, Bahrain, and Australia, conducted joint strikes against a number of targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. This was in accordance with the inherent right of individual and collective self-defence, consistent with the UN Charter.

Germany and Denmark have since signed a joint statement in support of the attacks, but France, Italy and Spain refused. Only jets from the UK and US were involved. The UK Typhoons flew the missions from their base in Cyprus.". ends
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Divi up the costs and send to all. What a bunch of hangers on.
Wrong thread mate, The 'I hate the EU because rhubarb rhubarb blah blah' thread is in JB. 🙄

Did it cross your mind that other interested parties may be perhaps keeping their powder dry for now while they pursue other channels?