The United States conducted additional strikes against Houthi missiles in Yemen on Sunday, as revealed by a statement from U.S. Central Command (Centcom).
The statement disclosed that U.S. forces targeted a land-attack cruise missile and four anti-ship missiles that were poised for launch in the Red Sea.
These military actions follow recent strikes by the U.S. and the UK against Houthi targets, prompted by ongoing attacks from the Iran-backed Yemeni group on military and shipping vessels in the Red Sea.
The Houthi assaults have disrupted international trade, with major shipping companies diverting from the affected waterway.
Egypt reported a significant decline in revenue from the Suez Canal in January, attributing it to a reduction in the number of ships passing through the crucial trade artery.
Saturday’s joint U.S.-UK strikes illuminated the sky over Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, leading to shaking houses, as described by a resident.
In response to the strikes, Houthi officials adopted a defiant stance, pledging retaliation.
The group’s military spokesman, Yahya Sarea, asserted that these attacks would not deter their support for the Palestinian people in Gaza.
The White House, emphasizing its commitment, warned that the recent air strikes were just the beginning of its response to Iran.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan stated that further steps would be taken, highlighting the U.S. response to the drone attack on a Jordanian military base that resulted in three soldier deaths.
Iran denied involvement in the drone attack, while the U.S. accused Tehran of having “fingerprints” on the incident, claiming the drone was Iranian-made.
President Joe Biden, in a letter to Congress, outlined that the strikes targeted facilities used by Iran’s armed forces and militia groups associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The U.S. retaliation has garnered criticism from regional entities, including the Iraqi and Syrian governments.
Iraq’s senior adviser Farhad Alaaldin stressed the sovereign status of Iraq, irrespective of the lack of warning during the strikes.
Mourners gathered in Baghdad to commemorate the deaths of 17 pro-Tehran militia members in the U.S. airstrikes.
Oman’s foreign minister expressed grave concerns over the escalating situation in the region, questioning the effectiveness of U.S. retaliatory actions.
Washington contends that the strikes have degraded militia capabilities, with Sullivan affirming the U.S. preparedness to address any challenges presented.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is en route to the region, with a primary focus on securing a hostage deal with Hamas to pause hostilities in Gaza.
The U.S. is committed to pressing for the deal, emphasizing that the ball is in Hamas’s court.
