The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that their recent airstrikes targeted drone launch platforms controlled by the Houthi group, which they identified as posing an imminent threat to international maritime navigation.
CENTCOM emphasized that these measures were taken to protect the freedom of navigation and enhance security in international waters. The strikes were part of a broader effort involving both U.S. and U.K. forces, which resumed bombings on Houthi military sites in Yemen’s Al Hudaydah province. Local sources in Yemen confirmed that the airstrikes destroyed several platforms used by the Houthis to launch missiles and drones aimed at international shipping routes in the Red Sea.
Since November of the previous year, the Houthis have launched attacks using missiles, drones, and explosive boats against commercial ships in the Red Sea. The Houthis have targeted at least 88 commercial ships since the beginning of their campaign against international maritime trade, as reported by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
The Houthis, a group based in Yemen, have increasingly used drones and missiles to target international shipping routes in the Red Sea, posing significant threats to global trade and maritime security. These actions are part of the larger conflict in Yemen, which has drawn in various regional and international powers.
The strategic location of Yemen allows the Houthis to threaten key maritime corridors, thereby escalating the risk to international navigation and trade. The recent strikes by CENTCOM are part of ongoing efforts to mitigate these threats and ensure the safety of key global shipping lanes.
