The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that the US military destroyed a missile system belonging to the Houthis in a region under their control in Yemen. The American leadership stated today, Saturday, that “within the last twenty-four hours, CENTCOM forces successfully destroyed a missile system operated by the Iran-backed Houthis in their controlled region in Yemen,” clarifying that this missile system posed a clear and imminent threat to US and coalition forces and commercial ships in the area. CENTCOM noted that these actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and ensure international waters are safer and more secure for US ships, coalition forces, and commercial vessels.
The Houthis, formally known as Ansar Allah, have a complex and contentious relationship with the United States, which has evolved significantly over the years. Originating as a Zaydi Shiite group that resisted the government of then-President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Yemen, the Houthis have grown politically and militarily. Their rise was particularly influenced by the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, which polarized many groups in the region, including the Houthis, who adopted a staunch anti-US stance.
Over the years, the Houthis have engaged in multiple conflicts, including six uprisings against Saleh’s regime between 2004 and 2010, further exacerbating their relationship with the US, which viewed them as destabilizing forces in Yemen. The group’s political and military strategies have often positioned them against US interests, particularly as they gained control over large parts of Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa.
The US has been involved in various military and diplomatic efforts to curb Houthi advances, often supporting Saudi-led coalitions aiming to restore the internationally recognized government in Yemen. This involvement has included direct military strikes and broader geopolitical strategies to limit Houthi influence, which is perceived as part of a larger proxy conflict involving Iran.
