U.S. Central Command said Wednesday that the U.S. military launched a new wave of ship- and submarine-launched missile attacks against Houthi-held positions, the fourth time in recent days that the U.S. military has directly targeted Houthi-held areas in Yemen. It was announced that this was an act of violence sparked by a riot. The war between Israel and Hamas continues to spill over into the Middle East.
The attack began in the Red Sea and hit 14 missiles, which the command deemed an “immediate threat.”
The airstrikes followed Wednesday's official announcement that the United States had returned the Houthis to its list of nations. Specially Designated Global Terrorist.
The sanctions that accompany the formal designation are aimed at separating violent extremist groups from their sources of funding.
“The military struck 14 Iranian-backed Houthi missiles that were loaded for launch into Houthi-held areas in Yemen,” the Central Command said in a statement published in X late Wednesday. “These missiles on launch rails pose an immediate threat to commercial shipping and U.S. Navy ships in the region, and could be launched at any time, so the U.S. military is exercising its inherent right and obligation to protect itself. I encouraged you to do so.”
Despite sanctions and military attacks, including a large-scale operation carried out by US and British warships and fighter jets on Friday that hit more than 60 targets across Yemen, the Houthis continue to carry out harassment operations against commercial and warships. There is.
The latest incident occurred on Wednesday. one-way attack drone The missile was fired from Houthi-held territory in Yemen and struck the Marshall Islands-flagged, U.S.-owned and operated M/V Genco Picardy in the Gulf of Aden.
The United States has strongly warned Iran to stop supplying weapons to the Houthis.
On Thursday, the United States raided a dhow and captured parts for a ballistic missile that the United States said Iran was transporting to Yemen.
Two U.S. Navy SEALs remain missing after one was blown off the ship by a wave during the seizure, and two fell into the ocean chasing the SEALs who had gotten over.
On Wednesday, Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said the U.S. would continue military action to prevent further attacks.
“They are taking advantage of this situation to carry out attacks against ships in more than 50 countries around the world. That is why we are working with our partners in the region to help prevent these attacks and prevent future attacks. We will try to deter them,'' Ryder said.
Several incidents have occurred since Friday's joint operation.
Over the weekend, the Houthis fired an anti-ship cruise missile at a U.S. Navy destroyer, which they shot down.
The Houthis then attacked a US-owned ship in the Gulf of Aden on Monday and a Maltese-flagged bulk carrier in the Red Sea on Tuesday.
In response, on Tuesday, the United States fired four anti-ship ballistic missiles that were ready for launch, posing an immediate threat to commercial shipping and U.S. Navy vessels in the region.
Hours later, the Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack on the Maltese-flagged bulk carrier Zografia.
The ship collided, but no one was injured and the ship continued sailing.
