Illustrative image. (The U.S. Central Command)
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on February 10 that its forces had destroyed offensive weapons of the Houthis (Ansar Allah) in Yemen over the past day.
In a statement, the command said “self-defense” strikes destroyed two mobile unmanned surface vessels (USV), four mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, and one mobile land attack cruise missile that were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.
“CENTCOM identified these missiles and USVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region,” the statement reads.
The command added that its actions against Yemen will “protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels.”
Yemen’s Al-Masirah TV, which is run by the Houthis, said on February 10 that 13 “American-British” strikes hit the western province of al-Hudaydah, targeting the areas of Taif, al-Dunee and al-Jabbanah.
Two more strikes targeted the area of al-Qutaynat in the northern province of Sa’dah, according to the news channel, which didn’t report any casualties.
The Houthis have targeted dozens of Israel-affiliated vessels and others owned by the U.S. and the United Kingdom since November 19 in response to the ongoing Israeli war and siege on the Gaza Strip, which has so far claimed the lives of more than 27,000 Palestinains.
The U.S. and the UK retaliated by carrying out dozens of strikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen in recent weeks. Nevertheless, the group remains undeterred.
