With repeated Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, the United States carried out new strikes against the group on Saturday. According to the US Central Command, these were “self-defense” strikes.
Another series of airstrikes has been carried out by the United States to fend off the Houthis.
The United States carried out fresh strikes against the Houthis Saturday, the military said, targeting an anti-ship missile that was “prepared to launch.”
Washington is seeking to reduce the Iran-backed Houthis’ military capabilities, but the Yemeni group has continued its attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, despite more than a week of strikes, and has vowed to keep targeting merchant vessels.
At around 4:00 AM Sanaa time (0100 GMT), US “forces conducted airstrikes against a Houthi anti-ship missile that was aimed into the Gulf of Aden and was prepared to launch,” a statement from US Central Command said.
“US forces determined the missile presented a threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region, and subsequently struck and destroyed the missile in self-defense,” the statement said.
“This action will make international waters safer and more secure for US Navy and merchant vessels,” it added.
The Houthis began striking Red Sea shipping in November, saying they were hitting Israeli-linked vessels in support of Palestinians in Gaza. They subsequently declared American and British interests to be legitimate targets as well.
Saturday’s operation marks the fifth round of strikes by the United States on the group in recent weeks. Dozens of sites in Yemen have been hit, including a Houthi radar site and missiles Washington says posed a threat to civilian and military vessels.
Washington is also seeking to put diplomatic and financial pressure on the Houthis, re-designating them as a “terrorist” entity after dropping that label soon after President Joe Biden took office.
With AFP
