In the fourth day of direct strikes on the Iran-aligned group in less than a week, the US military claims that its forces struck 14 Houthi missiles “that were loaded to be fired” from Yemen.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated on Wednesday that the missiles constituted a threat to US Navy and commercial ships in the area.
The organization, which has been assaulting ships in the area since November and holds the majority of Yemen, declared that it will not cease its attacks on trade routes in spite of the US military’s escalating attacks.
According to CENTCOM, “U.S. forces exercised their inherent right and obligation to defend themselves” in response to the possibility that these missiles on launch rails may have been fired at any moment.
The Houthis’ “capabilities to continue their reckless attacks on international and commercial shipping in the Red Sea, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden” need to be undermined, according to the statement that was appended.
In reaction to the Yemeni group’s ongoing attacks and threats to shipping, the US labeled it as a “terrorist” organization on Wednesday and placed sanctions on it. The designation is not effective for a period of thirty days.
According to the Houthis, the designation has no bearing on its efforts to stop Israeli ships or ships traveling in the direction of Israel from passing through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Arabian Sea, and the Red Sea.
The Houthis, who back the militant Palestinian organization Hamas, began their strikes in retaliation for Israel’s offensive against Gaza. Major world countries have been disturbed by their strikes, which have delayed trade between Asia and Europe.