The Pentagon announced on Saturday, January 20, that it had “destroyed” a Houthi anti-ship missile in new attacks described as “self-defense” against the Yemeni rebels, who have repeatedly launched attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf “ got from 'Aden.
The United States carried out the strikes at around 4 a.m. Saturday (2 a.m. in Paris) against “a Houthi anti-ship missile aimed at the Gulf of Aden and ready to launch,” it said in a statement. communicated the American military command in the Middle East (Centcom).
“U.S. forces determined that the missile posed a threat to U.S. commercial and naval vessels in the area and subsequently struck and destroyed the missile,” Centcom added, calling the operation “self-defense.”
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Protecting freedom of navigation
These attacks were part of efforts to “protect freedom of navigation and prevent attacks on ships at sea,” the same press release said. Yemeni rebels say they are targeting “Israel-linked” merchant ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden as a sign of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
On January 12, American and British forces bombed the Houthis in Yemen for the first time. Since then, several more attacks have followed, including on Friday against American army rocket launchers.
Repeated attacks by the Houthis have forced many shipowners to avoid this crucial passage for international trade.
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