U.S. Conducts Fifth Strike on Houthi Rebels in Yemen, Destroying Missile Launchers
In the ongoing military response to Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, the U.S. military executed its fifth strike on Thursday, confirming the destruction of two missile launchers, according to statements from the Pentagon.
Utilizing Navy F-18 fighter aircraft, U.S. Central Command forces targeted two Houthi anti-ship missiles positioned for launch into the Southern Red Sea. The strike, initiated after identifying the imminent threat around 3:40 p.m. local time, aimed to safeguard merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region. The Pentagon asserted that the action was taken in self-defense.
The recent series of strikes, initiated since last week, reflects the U.S.’s efforts to deter Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Despite these measures, Houthi militants, who began their attacks in mid-November amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict, have continued their assaults.
President Biden affirmed on Thursday that U.S. strikes against the Houthis would persist, acknowledging the limited success of previous bombings in halting the rebels’ maritime attacks. In response to the ongoing conflict, the Biden administration formally designated the Houthis as specially designated global terrorists on Wednesday. This designation comes with sanctions intended to disrupt Houthi financing while maintaining channels for humanitarian aid.
Despite the strategic airstrikes, Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh emphasized that the Houthis still possess capabilities to launch further attacks. The U.S. military remains prepared to respond as needed, with no expectation of an immediate cessation of Houthi hostilities.