WASHINGTON: U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday that the United States and Britain, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, had conducted strikes in Yemen at sites used by Houthi "rebels."

"These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea—including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history," Biden said in a statement released by the White House.

"These attacks have endangered U.S. personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardized trade, and threatened freedom of navigation," Biden said.

Biden said he would "not hesitate" to direct further measures to protect people and the free flow of commerce.