The U.S. military shot down four Iranian-backed Houthi drones on Friday after the terrorist group first fired four anti-ship ballistic missiles, a senior defense official told Fox News.
The Houthis are angry that the Biden administration will redesignate them as a terrorist organization and cut off funding. The sanctions took effect on Friday.
A senior defense official told Fox News that Americans have become complacent, believing it will be easy for the Navy to continue shooting down missiles and drones.
Iran declares ownership of Antarctica in direct challenge to Biden under global treaty
Houthi supporters attend a rally in Sanaa, Yemen, to support Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and oppose US-led airstrikes on Yemen. The Houthis carried out multiple attacks against shipping in the Red Sea. (AP Photo/Osama Abdulrahman)
If a Houthi missile hits a U.S. warship, “the escalation that follows would be very serious and people should stand still,” the official said.
“People have become too accustomed to us being good at shooting down incoming missiles,” the official added. “They don’t understand how difficult it is and the burden on the sailors monitoring the radar.
“The current risks in the Red Sea have become normalized and commonplace…It is a very dangerous situation.”
Weapons and equipment discovered by the US military on January 28th on board a ship bound for Yemen’s Houthi rebels from Iran. (Centcom)
The Houthis launched multiple attacks against shipping in the Red Sea.
On Thursday, the U.S. military conducted four more self-defense strikes against the militant group after a U.S. Coast Guard cutter seized an Iranian weapons shipment destined for the militant group.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
A statement from U.S. Central Command said: “CENTCOM has identified these mobile missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and USVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and has determined that they pose an imminent threat to U.S. naval vessels and commercial vessels in the region. ” he said. “These measures will protect freedom of navigation and make the high seas safer and more secure for the U.S. Navy and commercial vessels.”
