The U.S. military carried out another series of missile strikes from ships and submarines against Houthi-controlled sites in Yemen on Wednesday, according to U.S. Central Command. This marks the fourth time in recent days that the U.S. has directly targeted the Houthi group.
The strikes, launched from the Red Sea, targeted 14 missiles considered an “imminent threat.” The decision to strike followed the official announcement that the U.S. had placed the Houthis back on its list of specially designated global terrorists. This designation triggers sanctions aimed at cutting off financial support to violent extremist groups.
U.S. Forces Unleash Another Round of Missiles on Houthi Sites in Yemen (Credits: NY Post)
Central Command stated that the missile strikes were conducted to address the immediate danger posed by 14 Iran-backed Houthi missiles loaded for launch in Yemen. The missiles were considered a threat to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region. Despite the sanctions and previous military operations, including a joint U.S. and British operation targeting over 60 sites in Yemen, the Houthis persist in their campaign of harassment against commercial and military ships.
On Wednesday, an attack drone launched from a Houthi-controlled area in Yemen struck the U.S.-owned and -operated M/V Genco Picardy in the Gulf of Aden. The U.S. has warned Iran to stop supplying weapons to the Houthis, and a recent U.S. raid on a dhow intercepted ballistic missile parts destined for Yemen. Two U.S. Navy SEALs are currently unaccounted for after being involved in the interception.
Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder emphasized the U.S. commitment to taking military action to prevent further attacks, citing the exploitation of the situation by the Houthis to conduct attacks globally.
Since the joint operations on Friday, incidents include the Houthis firing an anti-ship cruise missile at a U.S. Navy destroyer (successfully intercepted), striking a U.S.-owned ship in the Gulf of Aden, and hitting a Malta-flagged bulk carrier in the Red Sea. In response, the U.S. targeted four anti-ship ballistic missiles prepared for launch.
The Houthis later claimed responsibility for the attack on the Malta-flagged bulk carrier Zografia, with the ship sustaining damage but no injuries reported.
