The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) introduced that its forces carried out a self-defense strike in opposition to Houthi forces early Sunday morning.
In an announcement revealed on X Sunday night, CENTCOM defined that American forces ”struck 4 anti-ship cruise missiles, all of which have been ready to launch in opposition to ships within the Pink Sea.”
”U.S. forces recognized the missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and decided they introduced an imminent risk to U.S. Navy ships and service provider vessels within the area,” CENTCOM’s assertion learn.
”These actions will defend freedom of navigation and make worldwide waters safer and safer for U.S. Navy vessels and service provider vessels.”
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A missile is launched from a warship through the U.S.-led coalition operation in opposition to Yemen’s Houthi rebels. (U.S. Central Command)
Earlier on Sunday, CENTCOM revealed video exhibiting U.S. forces supporting joint strikes in opposition to Iranian-backed Houthi militants on Saturday.
The video confirmed rockets launching from the ships in pitch-black darkness. The efforts have been a part of joint strikes in opposition to the Houthis, which included help from the UK, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Bahrain, the Netherlands and New Zealand.
CENTCOM mentioned that the Saturday strikes have been launched from the usCarney, the usGravely and the usDwight D. Eisenhower.
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Armed rebels of the Iran-backed Houthi militia participate in an illustration in opposition to the USA and Israel, amid rising tensions between the USA and the Houthis following the latter’s a number of operations within the Pink Sea. (Osamah Yahya/image alliance by way of Getty Pictures)
For the reason that Israel-Hamas conflict escalated within the fall, Houthis have routinely attacked business vessels within the Pink Sea.
On Saturday, Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin mentioned that the latest counter-strikes are aimed to ”degrade the capabilities” of the Houthis.
”These strikes are meant to additional disrupt and degrade the capabilities of the Iranian-backed Houthi militia to conduct their reckless and destabilizing assaults in opposition to U.S. and worldwide vessels lawfully transiting the Pink Sea,” Austin mentioned in an announcement on Saturday.
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U.S. Secretary of Protection Lloyd Austin participates in a gathering with Italian Protection Minister Guido Crosetto on the Pentagon on June 23, 2023 in Arlington, Virginia. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Pictures)
”This collective motion sends a transparent message to the Houthis that they are going to proceed to bear additional penalties if they don’t finish their unlawful assaults on worldwide delivery and naval vessels,” he added.
Fox Information Digital’s Bradford Betz and Louis Casiano contributed to this report.