The United States military, escalating its operations against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, carried out new strikes targeting Houthi anti-ship missiles. These strikes, conducted early on Wednesday, were a direct response to the Houthis’ persistent threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The operation involved destroying two Houthi anti-ship missiles that posed an imminent threat to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region.

This latest action follows a series of joint strikes by the U.S. and the U.K., with support from nations like Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, targeting Houthi military capabilities. Since mid-November, the Iran-backed group has launched attacks against at least 33 commercial vessels using various weapons, including anti-ship ballistic missiles, land-attack cruise missiles, and unmanned surface vehicles.

According to the U.S. Central Command, the strikes successfully destroyed two Houthi anti-ship missiles that were identified as posing an imminent threat to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region.

The U.S. defense officials, while highlighting the success of the recent strikes in further degrading Houthi capabilities, emphasized the importance of securing peace and stability in the Red Sea. They acknowledged the significant disruption caused by Houthi attacks on global commerce and regional economies, with over 14 shipping companies ceasing operations in the Red Sea.