By The U.S. military has executed a series of missile strikes against Houthi-controlled sites in Yemen, according to U.S. Central Command. This marks the fourth time in recent days that the group has been directly targeted as the violence stemming from the Israel-Hamas conflict spills over into the Middle East.
The strikes, launched from the Red Sea, successfully neutralized a total of 14 missiles that posed an “imminent threat,” as determined by the command. In conjunction with these attacks, it was announced on Wednesday that the Houthis have been re-added to the U.S.’s list of specially designated global terrorists. This designation carries sanctions designed to cut off their financial support.
“U.S. forces conducted strikes on 14 Iran-backed Houthi missiles that were loaded and ready to be fired in Yemen,” stated Central Command in a late Wednesday release. “These missiles, positioned on launch rails, presented a direct danger to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region. To protect themselves, U.S. forces deemed it necessary to exercise their inherent right and obligation to self-defense.”
Despite these sanctions and military offensives, which included a joint operation conducted by U.S. and British forces last Friday, striking over 60 targets throughout Yemen, the Houthis persist in their campaign of harassment against commercial and military ships. The most recent incident occurred on Wednesday when a one-way attack drone, launched from a Houthi-controlled area, targeted the Marshall Islands-flagged M/V Genco Picardy, a vessel owned and operated by the United States, in the Gulf of Aden.
The U.S. Warns Iran to Cease Providing Weapons to Houthis
The United States has issued a strong warning to Iran, urging them to stop supplying weapons to the Houthis. In a recent operation, American forces intercepted ballistic missile components that Iran was attempting to ship to Yemen. Unfortunately, during the raid, two U.S. Navy SEALs were knocked off their vessel by a powerful wave. As a result, one SEAL remains missing, while the other followed his comrade into the water.
Military Action and Collaboration to Prevent Future Attacks
To combat the escalating situation, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed that the U.S. will continue taking military action to prevent further attacks. The Houthis have taken advantage of the current turmoil to target ships and vessels from over 50 countries worldwide. Consequently, the U.S. plans to work closely with regional partners to deter and prevent such attacks in the future.
Recent Incidents and Retaliatory Actions
There have been multiple incidents following last Friday’s joint operations. Over the weekend, the Houthis launched an anti-ship cruise missile towards a U.S. Navy destroyer. Fortunately, the ship successfully intercepted and destroyed the missile. On Monday, the Houthis targeted a U.S.-owned ship in the Gulf of Aden, followed by an attack on a Malta-flagged bulk carrier in the Red Sea on Tuesday. In response, the U.S. swiftly struck four anti-ship ballistic missiles that were ready to launch. These missiles posed an imminent threat to merchant and U.S. Navy vessels in the region.
Subsequently, the Houthis claimed responsibility for the assault on the Malta-flagged bulk carrier named Zografia. Despite sustaining damage, the ship was able to continue its onward journey unharmed.
The Ratings Game: Shipping Stocks Rise in Response to Houthi Attack
The recent Houthi attack has attracted significant attention to the dry bulk fleet, leading to a rise in shipping stocks. This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by ships operating in these regions.
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