The United States conducted another series of strikes against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, as reported by three US officials and US Central Command.
This marks the fourth instance in less than a week that the US has targeted the Iran-backed rebel group.
In the latest operation, the US aimed at 14 Houthi missile launchers, which were used to target international shipping lanes, according to a statement from CENTCOM on Wednesday night. Tomahawk missiles were deployed from US Navy surface vessels and the USS Florida, a guided missile submarine, as disclosed by two US officials.
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CENTCOM stated that the missiles were “loaded to be fired in Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen” and posed an “imminent threat” to both commercial vessels and US Navy ships.
The statement emphasized that the missiles could have been launched “at any time,” and the US took action based on its “inherent right and obligation to defend” US assets.
Recent Strikes: US Responds to Houthi Actions
The recent airstrikes by the United States represent the latest in a series of actions taken against the Houthis.
These follow significant strikes conducted last week, led by the United States in collaboration with the United Kingdom, and with support from a few other allies.
These military operations occur against the backdrop of increased tensions in the Middle East, with concerns that the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza could potentially escalate further in the region.
Earlier, the Houthis targeted a US-owned and operated vessel for the second time within the week.
The Iran-backed rebel group utilized a one-way attack drone to strike the M/V Genco Picardy in the Gulf of Aden, as reported by US Central Command.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported aboard the commercial vessel, and despite sustaining some damage, the ship was able to proceed on its course.
In a separate incident on Monday, the Houthis attacked another US-owned and operated vessel with an anti-ship ballistic missile.
This incident marked what seemed to be the first successful such attack against a US asset since the group began targeting international shipping lanes in mid-November.