Hey everyone. It's 4 o'clock here in Washington, D.C. I'm Elisi Menendez in for

Nicole Wallace. We are keeping a close eye on a volatile situation in the Middle East

where U.S. forces across the region are bracing for

possible retaliation after airstrikes against Iranian-backed Hutti militias in

Yemen. On Thursday, US and UK forces struck dozens of targets more than 60 at 16 different locations

across Yemen.

That's according to the U.S. Air Force.

Hutis say that at least five people were killed in the strikes.

The attacks are response by the US and its

allies in what has become a slow simmering crisis that has drawn the

administration's attention in the last few months. Since the conflict began

hundreds of miles away in Gaza with the October 7th terror attacks,

Huti forces in Yemen have been launching missile and drone strikes on ships in the nearby Red Sea,

site of one of the most crucial shipping lanes in the world.

Back in November, Hootie forces even hijacked a ship that was operated by a Japanese company.

The Hootie say their actions are in support of Hamas and the ongoing conflict in Gaza and

they say they will continue their attacks until Israel ends its campaign.

Just moments ago President Biden answering questions from reporters.

Take a listen.

I've already delivered the message to man.

They know who not to do anything.

We continue bombing the who things that he attacks will stop.

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