US forces attacked and destroyed a Houthi rebel surface-to-air missile in Yemen on Friday, posing “an imminent threat” to US aircraft. This has been stated by the United States Central Command in the Middle East.
The Iran-backed Houthis, who control much of war-torn Yemen, have been attacking shipping in the Red Sea since November in a campaign they say is in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid the war between Israel and Hamas.
The United States is leading a naval coalition to protect ships in the vital waterway and has also carried out airstrikes on Houthi territory, both on its own and alongside Britain.
On Friday afternoon, "U.S. forces conducted a self-defense strike against an Iran-backed Houthi surface-to-air missile that was prepared to be launched," the U.S. military said in a statement, adding that it had "determined that "(the missile) presented an imminent threat." threat to US aircraft in the region.”
They have also indicated that the Houthis launched an anti-ship missile in the Red Sea on Friday night, but "there was no impact or damage to any ship."
Last weekend, US and British forces carried out strikes against 18 Houthi targets in eight locations in Yemen, including weapons storage facilities, attack drones, air defense systems, radars and a helicopter, according to a joint statement. .
One person was killed and eight wounded in the attacks, the Houthis' official news agency said on Sunday.
