The US Armed Forces carried out strikes as part of self-defence measures against drones, missiles, and weapon storage containers in areas of Yemen controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi militia yesterday, Monday.
The US Central Command stated that it “successfully engaged and destroyed 7 anti-ship missiles, three drones, and three weapon storage containers in areas controlled by the Houthis in Yemen in self-defence.”
In a statement, the US Central Command said, “It was determined that these weapons pose an imminent threat to commercial ships and US Navy vessels in the region.”
The armed group pledged to attack ships in the Red Sea linked to Israel.
The Houthis say they want to end Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, following attacks by Hamas on Israel on November 7th.
Due to the ongoing Houthi attacks, major shipping companies increasingly avoid the shortest maritime route between Asia and Europe, sailing around the Cape of Good Hope.
Several Western countries, including the United States and Britain, have launched operations to protect ships in the region in response to Houthi attacks.
Earlier this week, the British Navy’s Coordination Center for Maritime Trade (UKMTO) announced that a ship had been attacked off the coast of Yemen in the Gulf of Aden, 85 nautical miles east of Aden.
The British coordination centre posted on its website a map showing the geographical location of the targeting and advised ships to “cross cautiously and report any suspicious activity.”
About two hours before this British announcement, the U.S. Central Command “CENTCOM” stated that on March 16 between 7:50 AM and 8:15 AM (Sanaa time), the Houthis launched two unmanned aerial vehicles from areas controlled by them in Yemen towards the Red Sea.
