“These missiles on launch rails presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region and could have been fired at any time, prompting US forces to exercise their inherent right and obligation to defend themselves,” CENTCOM says in a statement. “These strikes, along with other actions we have taken, will degrade the Houthi’s capabilities to continue their reckless attacks on international and commercial shipping.”
The statement noticeably denounces the Houthis as “Iranian-backed terrorists,” after the Biden administration redesignated the rebel group as a terror organization earlier in the day and partially restored sanctions. Before Wednesday, statements from CENTCOM about the Houthis referred to them as “Iranian-backed militants.”
Houthis vow to keep attacking ships in Red Sea despite ‘American-British aggression’
Iran-backed Houthi rebels vow to continue targeting Red Sea shipping soon after they said the United States and Britain have carried out a new round of strikes in Yemen.
“We will continue to target Israeli ships heading to the ports of occupied Palestine, no matter how the American-British aggression tries to prevent us from doing so,” a Houthi military official tells the rebels’ Al-Masirah TV.
US launches fresh wave of strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen — officials
The United States has conducted another round of strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, US officials tell Reuters.
The officials speak on condition of anonymity and do not provide details on the target or how many missiles were launched.
Attacks by the Iran-allied Houthi militia on ships in the region since November have slowed trade between Asia and Europe and alarmed major powers.
No comments:
Post a Comment