Click to see full-size image. (The U.S. Central Command)
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on March 8 that its forces carried out another wave of “self-defense strikes” against the Houthis (Ansar Allah) in Yemen over the past day.
The strikes targeted four mobile anti-ship cruise missiles and one drone in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, the command said in a statement.
It added that its forces also shot down three drones launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Gulf of Aden.
“These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels,” CENTCOM said.
Yemen’s Al-Masirah TV said that four American and British strikes hit the western province of al-Hodeidah on March 7. The strikes targeted the areas of Hodeidah International Airport, Ras Issa, and al-Jabbanah, according to the Houthi-run news channel, which didn’t report any losses.
Just a day before the latest wave of strikes, anti-ship ballistic missiles hit the Barbados-flagged, U.S.-owned cargo ship True Confidence in the Gulf of Aden.
A fire broke out aboard the ship as a result of the attack, causing the crew to abandon the vessel. Three crew members were killed and four others sustained serious burns from the fire. This was the first time a Houthi attack caused casualties.
The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have targeted dozens of Israel-affiliated vessels and others owned by the U.S. and the United Kingdom in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November 19 in response to the ongoing Israeli war and siege on the Palestinian Gaza Strip.
In his State of the Union address on March 7, U.S. President Joe Biden said that “creating stability in the Middle East also means containing the threat posed by Iran.”
“That’s why I built a coalition of more than a dozen countries to defend international shipping and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea,” Biden continued. “I’ve ordered strikes to degrade Houthi capabilities and defend U.S. forces in the region.”
“As commander-in-chief, I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and military personnel,” he warned.
The U.S. and the UK have already struck more than 200 targets in Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen in their failed attempt to deter the group. More strikes will not likely make any difference.
