The United States launched another strike on an anti-ship missile in Yemen, which was prepared for launch by the Ansar Allah movement (Houthis) ruling in the north of the country, the American central command said on the social network.
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“On February 4, at approximately 0400 Sana’a time, US Central Command, in self-defense, attacked a Houthi anti-ship cruise missile that was ready to be launched at ships in the Red Sea. US forces detected the cruise missile in Houthi-controlled territory of Yemen and determined that it posed an immediate threat US Navy ships and commercial vessels in the region,” Central Command 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.
