The U.S. military has taken defensive action against Houthi targets in Yemen, specifically hitting three underground weapons storage facilities, according to an announcement from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Friday.
These strikes were aimed at disrupting capabilities utilized by the Houthis to menace and attack ships, both naval and merchant, in the surrounding region, as stated in a release on X.
Additionally, CENTCOM reported the destruction of four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) within Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, asserting these actions were taken in self-defense.
Recent assaults by Yemen’s Houthis in the Red Sea area, purportedly in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, have caused disruptions to global shipping routes, necessitating longer and costlier detours around southern Africa.
Muhammad Ali Al-Houthi, leader of the Houthi supreme revolutionary committee, condemned what he described as “reckless” U.S. and British attacks on Yemen. According to the Houthi-run Saba News Agency, both U.S. and British aircraft carried out five raids on Hodeidah, the region housing Yemen’s principal port.
CENTCOM clarified that during the timeframe of the U.S. UAV attacks, Houthi militants had launched four anti-ship ballistic missiles from their controlled territories towards the Red Sea.
Despite these actions, no injuries or damages were reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial vessels, according to CENTCOM.
Emphasizing the necessity of such strikes, CENTCOM stressed that these actions were imperative to safeguard their forces, ensure unhindered navigation, and enhance the safety and security of international waters for U.S., coalition, and merchant ships.
