The U.S. military conducted a strike in Yemen on Saturday targeting a Houthi anti-ship missile ready for launch into the Red Sea, according to U.S. Central Command.
The strike took place early Saturday morning and CENTCOM called it a “self-defense” strike.
“At approximately 3:45 a.m. (Sanaa time) on January 27, U.S. Central Command conducted a strike against a Houthi anti-ship missile that was preparing to launch into the Red Sea,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
US launches 'self-defense' strike in Yemen against Iranian-backed Houthi missiles
Houthi fighters hold a protest against the US government near Sanaa, Yemen, on Thursday, January 25th. (AP/Osama Abdulrahman)
“The U.S. military has identified missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and has determined that they pose an imminent threat to commercial shipping and U.S. naval vessels in the region,” the statement continued. “The U.S. military then attacked and destroyed the missile in self-defense. This action will protect freedom of navigation and make the high seas safer and more secure for U.S. Navy ships and commercial vessels.”
Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists fired an anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-held territory in Yemen, destroying the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker M/V Merlin at around 7:45 p.m. Sanaa time on Friday night. Centcom said it happened after the attack on Luanda. The ship issued a distress call and reported damage, but no injuries were reported.
Houthis demand US and UK aid workers to leave Yemen within 30 days after second coalition strike
Houthi fighters and tribesmen hold a rally against US and UK attacks on Houthi-run military facilities near Sanaa, Yemen. (AP)
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This is the 38th attack on a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker by the Houthis since November 19, and the second on Friday.
The Houthi satellite news channel Al Masira said the airstrike occurred near the port city of Hodeidah.
FOX News' Liz Frieden contributed to this report.
