WASHINGTON: The USA carried out 5 self-defense strikes in areas of Yemen managed by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia, US Central Command stated on Sunday (Feb 18).
It stated it struck three cell anti-ship cruise missiles, one unmanned underwater vessel and one unmanned floor vessel on Saturday.
“That is the primary noticed Houthi employment of a UUV since assaults started in Oct 23,” CENTCOM stated in a publish on X.
Central Command stated it had decided the missiles and vessels introduced an imminent menace to US Navy ships and service provider ships within the space.
The Houthi assaults within the Purple Sea space have been one signal of spreading battle within the Center East since conflict erupted between Israel and Hamas after the militant Palestinian group’s lethal assault on Israel on Oct 7.
The Houthis, who management probably the most populous elements of Yemen, say their assaults are in solidarity with Palestinians as Israel strikes Gaza. However the US and its allies characterize them as indiscriminate and a menace to international commerce.
Confronted with mounting Purple Sea violence, main delivery traces have largely deserted the vital commerce route for longer routes round Africa. This has elevated prices, feeding worries about international inflation whereas sapping Egypt of essential overseas income from shippers crusing the Suez Canal to or from the Purple Sea.
