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The US launched five “self-defense” airstrikes on Saturday against a number of Houthi rebel positions in Yemen.
The attacks targeted three anti-ship missile batteries, an unmanned underwater vessel (UUV) and another unmanned surface vessel (USV), the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Sunday.
“This is the first observed Houthi use of a UUV since attacks began on October 23,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
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“CENTCOM has identified the anti-ship cruise missiles, unmanned underwater vessel and unmanned surface vessel in Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen and determined that they pose an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. These actions will protect the freedom of.” “We will improve navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for the U.S. Navy and merchant vessels,” the statement continued.
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The US launched five “self-defense” airstrikes on Saturday against a number of Houthi rebel positions in Yemen. (Lphot Chris Sellars/Handout via Portal)
The US has been conducting operations in the Red Sea and near Yemen for weeks as the Iran-backed Houthis continue to harass trade through the critical passage. Houthis have launched missiles and boat attacks against international and U.S. Navy vessels since late last year.
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Houthi fighters wield heavy vehicle-mounted machine guns at a rally in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and during attacks on ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. (Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images)
This weekend's attacks come about three weeks after a U.S. Coast Guard ship stationed in the region “seized from a vessel in the Arabian Sea advanced conventional weapons and other lethal supplies originating from Iran and headed to Houthi-controlled areas.” areas in Yemen are designated”.
U.S. military officials said the Sentinel-class fast attack cutter USCGC Clarence Sutphin Jr. located the ship, boarded it and found more than 200 weapons packages.
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The U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class fast cutter USCGC Clarence Sutphin Jr. intercepted the ship on January 28 in the Arabian Sea. (CENTCOM)
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According to CENTCOM, the packages included “intermediate-range ballistic missile components, explosives, unmanned underwater/surface vehicle components, military communications and networking equipment, anti-tank missile launchers and other military components.”
Fox News' Greg Norman contributed to this report