U.S. military struck missiles and maritime drones belonging to Houthis
American military strikes drones and rockets of Yemeni Houthis (photo: facebook.com/DDG107)
The U.S. military has conducted strikes on two unmanned aerial vehicles and three anti-ship cruise missiles, which Houthi rebels from Yemen intended to use to attack ships in the Red Sea, according to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
In a statement, the American military noted that these strikes on Houthi targets were conducted in self-defense.
The CENTCOM also clarified that this occurred on Saturday.
"On Feb. 10, between 4 – 5 p.m., (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces successfully conducted self-defense strikes against two unmanned surface vessels (USV) and three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM) north of Al Hudaydah, Yemen, that were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea," the statement read.
The U.S. military stated that they identified these drones and missiles in areas of Yemen controlled by the Houthis and determined that they posed an immediate threat to U.S. Navy ships and commercial vessels in the region.
"These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels," CENTCOM added.
U.S. operation in response to Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea
Since November of last year, there have been ongoing attacks by Yemeni Houthis on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, which have ties to Israel. In January, the terrorist group carried out the most significant attack. The U.S. and UK militaries repelled an attack in the Red Sea.
At the beginning of January, the U.S. and UK launched powerful strikes on targets associated with the Houthis in Yemen. This was in response to the constant attacks by the Houthis on civilian ships in the Red Sea.
On January 28, it was reported that a Houthi drone attacked a British military ship in the Red Sea, and the next day, the Yemeni Houthis claimed to have attacked an American destroyer. However, the Pentagon denied the militants' claim.
Before this, on February 6, it was reported that a British cargo ship came under attack by the Houthis in the Red Sea.
On February 7, the Houthis launched six anti-ship ballistic missiles from Yemen towards two commercial vessels in the southern part of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. They did not cause any damage to the ships, and one of the missiles was intercepted and shot down by the U.S. military.
Two days later, American military forces launched a series of strikes on Houthi cruise missiles and unmanned surface vessels in Yemen.
