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American forces launched "self-defence strikes" Wednesday against Houthi missiles and launch positions in rebel-controlled Yemen that posed threats to commercial shipping and naval forces in the Red Sea, the US military said.
The Iran-backed Houthis, who control much of war-torn Yemen, have been harassing the vital shipping lane since November in a campaign they say is in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war.
Before dawn Wednesday Sanaa time, "US Central Command forces conducted four self-defence strikes against seven mobile Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles and one mobile anti-ship ballistic missile launcher that were prepared to launch towards the Red Sea," CENTCOM said in a statement on social media platform X.
The military said it also shot down a "one-way attack unmanned aircraft system."
CENTCOM said:
On Tuesday, the Pentagon said a US drone crashed off the coast of Yemen after apparently being struck by a missile fired by Houthi rebels.
The Red Sea attacks have raised insurance premiums for shipping companies, forcing many to avoid the Red Sea, a vital route that normally carries about 12 percent of global maritime trade.
