The United States military conducted new airstrikes against 10 drones and a ground control center belonging to Houthi rebels in Yemen. The operation aimed to counter an imminent threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region, with a focus on protecting freedom of navigation.
The Houthi rebels declared all US and British warships involved in “aggression” against Yemen as targets, raising concerns over escalating tensions and disruptions to world trade.
CENTCOM reported that the USS Carney had intercepted an anti-ship ballistic missile and downed three Iranian drones. The Houthis claimed to have targeted an American merchant ship in the Gulf of Aden. While the US and Iran have avoided confrontation, recent US strikes targeted the Houthis and other Iranian-linked groups in the Middle East.
In a marked shift, CENTCOM destroyed a Houthi surface-to-air missile threatening US aircraft, deviating from past focuses on global shipping threats in the Red Sea. The Houthis, controlling populous parts of Yemen, began targeting Israeli-linked vessels in the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians and support for Hamas.
US and British forces responded to attacks by striking the Houthis, who declared US and British interests as legitimate targets. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps discussed holding the Houthis accountable for their “illegal and reckless” attacks.
The US established a multinational naval task force to protect Red Sea shipping, crucial for up to 12 percent of global trade. The European Union plans a naval mission within three weeks to defend cargo ships. Additionally, the US exerted diplomatic and financial pressure by relisting the Houthis as “specially designated global terrorists” in January.
