The US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported on the social network X that its forces intercepted two anti-ship cruise missiles in the Red Sea over the past 24 hours.
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“At 2000 hours, CENTCOM forces conducted two self-defense strikes against two anti-ship cruise missiles that posed a direct threat to commercial and U.S. Navy vessels in the region,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
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The Central Command also reported that between 15:50 and 16:15 Sanaa time, the Ansar Allah movement (Houthis) ruling in northern Yemen launched two anti-ship cruise missiles at a container ship flying the Liberian flag. One of the missiles hit the ship, causing damage, but no one was injured. The container ship did not request assistance and continued on its previous course, CENTCOM said in a statement.
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The ruling Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement in northern Yemen, which controls most of Yemen’s Red Sea coast, previously warned of its intention to attack any ships linked to Israel, calling on other countries to recall their crews from them and not to approach them at sea. A number of shipping companies have decided to suspend transportation through the Red Sea.
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The Houthis have said their actions in the Red Sea are aimed at helping Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and they have argued that they are not interfering with freedom of navigation in the region. Arab and Muslim countries have repeatedly warned the United States that unconditional support for Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip will lead to the spread of the conflict throughout the region.
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The US and UK have been carrying out strikes on Houthi targets since mid-January, calling it a response to threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of Ansar Allah’s highest political council, called the attacks a terrorist barbarity and deliberate and unjustified aggression.
