The United States military executed a recent strike in Yemen on Tuesday, specifically targeting ballistic missiles designed for anti-ship purposes in a region controlled by the Houthi rebels. This information, not previously disclosed, comes from two anonymous US officials who spoke to Reuters. This strike is part of the ongoing military actions against the Houthi group due to its persistent targeting of shipping in the Red Sea, and it follows President Joe Biden's recent directive for initial strikes aimed at degrading Houthi capabilities.
The unidentified officials disclosed that Tuesday's strike was focused on four anti-ship missiles. Despite the initial set of strikes ordered by President Biden, Houthi assaults on Red Sea shipping have persisted. The Houthi rebels, predominant along Yemen's Red Sea coastline, assert that their attacks on commercial vessels aim to support the Palestinian cause in the context of Israel's conflict in Gaza.
Notably, the Houthi movement has expressed intentions to broaden its targets within the Red Sea region, explicitly including US vessels. This commitment to continued attacks follows numerous strikes conducted last week by US and British forces, primarily targeting radar and missile capabilities. On Monday, the Houthi forces targeted the Gibraltar Eagle, a dry bulk ship owned and operated by the US, with an anti-ship ballistic missile, as confirmed by the US military.
