The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that US forces launched a self-defense attack against Houthi forces on Sunday morning.
X In a statement published Sunday evening, CENTCOM explained that U.S. forces “fired four anti-ship cruise missiles, all of which were intended to be fired against ships in the Red Sea.”
“U.S. forces identified missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined that they pose a threat to U.S. Navy ships and commercial vessels in the region,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
“These measures will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. naval vessels and commercial vessels.”
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A missile has been fired from a warplane during the operation of the US-led coalition against Yemen’s Houthi rebels. (US Central Command)
Earlier on Sunday, CENTCOM released video showing US forces supporting joint strikes against Iranian-backed Houthi militants on Saturday.
The video shows rockets being launched from ships in the dark. The efforts were part of a joint offensive against the Houthis, which included support from Britain, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Bahrain, the Netherlands and New Zealand.
CENTCOM said Saturday’s attacks were launched from the USS Carney, USS Gravely and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.
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Armed rebels from the Iran-backed Houthi militia are taking part in a demonstration against the United States and Israel, amid heightened tensions between the United States and the Houthis following several of the latter’s operations in the Red Sea. (Osama Yahya/Photo Consortium via Getty Images)
Since the war between Israel and Hamas escalated in the fall, the Houthis have routinely attacked merchant ships in the Red Sea.
On Saturday, Defense Minister Lloyd Austin said the recent counter-attacks were aimed at “reducing the capabilities” of the Houthis.
“These strikes are aimed at further enhancing the Iranian-backed Houthi militia’s ability to launch indiscriminate and destabilizing attacks against US forces and international vessels operating legally in the Red Sea,” Austin said in a statement on Saturday. To impress.”
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin attends a meeting with Italian Defense Minister Guido Croceto at the Pentagon on June 23, 2023 in Arlington, Virginia. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
“This collective action sends a clear message to the Houthis that if they do not stop their illegal attacks on international shipping and ships, they will continue to suffer further consequences,” he added.