US strikes 14 Houthi missiles 'loaded to be fired' from Yemen, says they presented 'imminent threat to vessels'

The US military Wednesday conducted strikes from the Red Sea on 14 Houthi missiles that were loaded and ready to be fired from Yemen.

In a statement on social media platform X, US Central Command said the Houthi missiles on launch rails presented an “imminent threat” to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region and could have been fired at any time. This “prompted the US forces to exercise their inherent right and obligation to defend themselves.”

“These strikes, along with other actions we have taken, will degrade the Houthi’s capabilities to continue their reckless attacks on international and commercial shipping in the Red Sea, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden,” it further said.

The US conducted strikes on the Houthi missiles around 11.59pm (Sanaa time) on 17 January.

“The actions by the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists continue to endanger international mariners and disrupt the commercial shipping lanes in the Southern Red Sea and adjacent waterways,” said General Michael Erik Kurilla, USCENTCOM Commander.

“We will continue to take actions to protect the lives of innocent mariners and we will always protect our people,” General Michael Erik Kurilla further said.

U.S. CENTCOM Strikes Houthi Terrorist Missile Launchers

In the context of ongoing multi-national efforts to protect freedom of navigation and prevent attacks on U.S. and partner maritime traffic in the Red Sea, on Jan. 17 at approximately 11:59 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central… pic.twitter.com/MMCQbzr1f7

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 18, 2024

Earlier on Wednesday, the US Central Command said a drone from areas controlled by the Houthi rebels in Yemen had struck a U.S.-owned vessel in the Gulf of Aden. There was some damage, but no injuries in the attack, it added.

The new strikes against Houthi targets followed official announcement on Wednesday with the US putting the Houthis back on its list of specially designated global terrorists. These sanctions which come with the formal designation are meant to sever violent extremist groups from their sources of financing.

"Over the past months, Yemen-based Houthi militants have engaged in unprecedented attacks against United States military forces and international maritime vessels operating in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. These attacks fit the textbook definition of terrorism. They have endangered US personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardized global trade, and threatened freedom of navigation," said US national security advisor Jake Sullivan.

Sullivan further said the decision was a response to the continuing threats and attacks perpetrated by the Houthis in the strategic waterways.

Attacks by the Iran-allied Houthi terrorist group on ships in the region since November last year have slowed trade between Asia and Europe and alarmed major powers. The US strikes are meant to degrade the Houthis' ability to carry out attacks in the Red Sea.

But the Houthis, who control most of Yemen, say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and have threatened to expand their attacks.

With inputs from Reuters