Kirby says Yemen’s Houthis ‘nonetheless have some offensive functionality’ despite waves of US strikes

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stated Friday that the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen “still have some offensive capability” despite repeated waves of U.S. navy strikes in opposition to the insurgent group. 

Kirby made the remark a day after President Biden, when requested by a reporter concerning the effectiveness of the strikes, stated, “Well, when you say working, are they stopping the Houthis? No. Are they going to continue? Yes.” 

Kirby advised reporters Friday on the White House Press Briefing that the Pentagon conducts an evaluation following every strike to find out how profitable they have been. 

“They believe that they have had good effects on degrading some of these Houthi capabilities,” Kirby stated. “But clearly, and the president alluded to this yesterday, they still have some offensive capability, and we’re going to keep taking the actions we believe we need to take to defend ourselves.” 

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION MISSING MARK AS IT REDESIGNATES IRAN-BACKED HOUTHIS TO TERROR LIST, CRITICS SAY 

Houthi supporters rally to denounce the U.S. labeling of Houthis as a ‘Specially Designated Global Terrorist’ group, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Friday, January 19. (Reuters/Khaled Abdullah)

Kirby additionally revealed that this morning, U.S. forces within the area “conducted three successful self-defense strikes” in opposition to the Houthis. 

“This is the fourth preemptive action that the U.S. military has taken in the past week against Houthi missile launchers that were ready to launch attacks, in this case, anti-ship missiles,” he added. 

US FORCES STRIKE 2 HOUTHI ANTI-SHIP MISSILES, TWO DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAY 

Houthi fighters and tribesmen stage a rally in opposition to the U.S. and the U.Okay. strikes on Houthi-run navy websites close to Sanaa, Yemen, on Sunday, January 14, 2024. (AP Photo) (AP)

Kirby once more warned the Houthis to cease their assaults in opposition to business ships within the Red Sea. 

An plane takes off to affix the U.S.-led coalition to conduct air strikes in opposition to navy targets in Yemen, aimed on the Iran-backed Houthi militia that has been focusing on worldwide delivery within the Red Sea, from an undisclosed location, on this screengrab from a video launched on January 12.  (US Central Command by way of X/Reuters.)

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“They can make that choice. Clearly, they’ve made opposite choices,” he stated. “So we have choices to make too, and we have options available to us as well. We’ll continue to explore those options. Clearly, one of the options that we are and will continue to take are in the military realm if needed.”