On Friday, U.S. military forces launched strikes against more than a dozen Houthi targets in Yemen using aircraft and warships.
According to a statement from U.S. Central Command, the strikes targeted 15 sites related to Houthi offensive military capabilities, aimed at safeguarding navigation freedom and enhancing security for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels in international waters.
The strikes followed a recent “complex attack” by the Houthis, which involved cruise missiles and drones aimed at U.S. Navy ships.
The Pentagon stated that these projectiles were either intercepted by the Navy or failed to reach their targets. Fortunately, no U.S. vessels were struck, and there were no injuries reported among American personnel.
However, this incident illustrated that months of U.S. airstrikes have not deterred the Houthis from their campaign against maritime targets in the Red Sea.
Since last November, the Houthis have attacked over 100 ships, leading to two being sunk and another hijacked.
The group claims these assaults are a reaction to Israel’s actions in Gaza, although U.S. officials assert that many of the targeted vessels have no links to the conflict.
The Houthis have also directly targeted Israel, launching a drone at Tel Aviv in July and a missile in September, both of which elicited Israeli counterattacks against positions in Yemen.
U.S. Central Command regularly conducts strikes against Houthi missile and drone launchers when threats to U.S. military or commercial vessels arise, but Friday’s strikes focused more on Houthi infrastructure.
Earlier this year, U.S. and U.K. forces carried out multiple joint airstrikes aimed at both launchers and supporting facilities. Despite these efforts, the Houthis have continued their attacks.
In August, Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh noted that while the Houthis still possess the capability to launch attacks, strikes on their infrastructure have diminished some of their military capabilities. She stated, “They still maintain a robust arsenal, but we have been able to degrade their capabilities over time.”
The Houthis, similar to Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, are supported by Iran and have received weapons from them.
