The US military attacked more than a dozen Houthi targets in Yemen on Friday using both aircraft and warships, US officials told CBS News.
A statement from U.S. Central Command said the airstrikes hit 15 targets, including Houthi offensive military capabilities, and “protected freedom of navigation and made the high seas safer and more secure for U.S., coalition forces, and commercial shipping.” It was for the purpose of doing so.
Last week, the Houthis launched what the Pentagon characterized as a “complex attack” using cruise missiles and drones near a U.S. Navy ship. The Pentagon said the weapons fired by the Houthis were either shot down by naval ships or failed.
No U.S. ships were hit and no U.S. personnel were injured, but the attack shows that months of U.S. airstrikes have not deterred the Houthis from targeting ships in the Red Sea. was further shown.
Since November last year, the Houthis have targeted more than 100 ships, sinking two and hijacking one. The group claims it is launching attacks to protest Israel’s war in Gaza, but U.S. officials say many of the vessels targeted have no connection to Israel’s war. claims.
The Houthis have recently attacked Israel directly, launching drones at Tel Aviv in July and missiles in September. Both attacks prompted an Israeli response that targeted Yemeni strongholds.
U.S. Central Command regularly conducts strikes against Houthi missiles and drone launchers when there is any indication that the group is planning attacks on U.S. troops or commercial vessels, but Friday’s attack was carried out by the Houthis. further targeted infrastructure.
Earlier this year, the United States and Britain conducted several joint airstrikes that targeted not only launch pads but also storage facilities and other infrastructure. Neither large-scale nor “whack-a-mole” type strikes appear to have persuaded the Houthis to stop their attacks.
In August, Sabrina Singh, deputy Pentagon spokeswoman, acknowledged that the Houthis continue to retain the ability to launch attacks, but said attacks targeting infrastructure had reduced some of their capabilities. said.
“They still maintain a strong arsenal, but we have been able to reduce their capabilities over time,” Singh said.
Like Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis are supported by and receive weapons from Iran.
See more of Eleanor Watson
