U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Saturday that American forces had destroyed a missile controlled by the Yemen-based Houthi rebels.
The United States has determined that Houthi anti-ship missiles in the Gulf of Aden are ready for launch and pose a threat to both commercial shipping and U.S. naval vessels in the area. according to Go to CENTCOM press release. The US military carried out an airstrike at around 4 a.m. Sanna time on Saturday, destroying the missile.
This is the seventh attack by the US military on Houthi anti-ship missiles. The fifth and sixth strikes against the rebels were also aimed at making Red Sea navigation safer for civilian and warships by destroying anti-ship missiles. (Related article: US Navy seizes Iranian weapons intended to supply Houthi rebels)
Tensions have steadily increased since the Houthis began attacking commercial ships in November 2023. The world's major shipping companies have announced plans to avoid the Red Sea since the Houthi offensive began, diverting about $200 billion in trade and according to Go to CNBC News.
Houthis say attacks will continue until Israel halts military operations in Gaza, PBS report.
The Biden administration on Wednesday declared the Houthis a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” group, reversing the Biden administration's State Department decision to lift the group's terrorist designation in 2021.
US Central Command destroys Houthi terrorist anti-ship missile
As part of continued efforts to protect freedom of navigation and prevent attacks on maritime vessels, at approximately 4:00 a.m. (Sanaa time) on January 20, U.S. Central Command conducted airstrikes against the Houthis. pic.twitter.com/NYWPHyf7qN
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 20, 2024
President Biden acknowledged that airstrikes have done little to deter the Houthis.
“Are they stopping the Houthis? No. Will they continue? Yes,” the president said Thursday.
Some Pentagon officials are concerned about the cost of shooting down Houthi missiles and drones, Politico report. The report said the Navy's missiles can cost up to $2.1 million each, but some of the drones used by the Houthis to attack ships cost just a few thousand dollars.
“Cost offsets are not on our side,” one Pentagon official told Politico.
CENTCOM did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation's request for comment.
All content produced by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan news distribution service, is available free of charge to legitimate news publishers with large audiences. All republished articles must include our logo, reporter byline, and DCNF affiliation. If you have any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact us at licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
