Houthi’s weapons were an imminent threat to U.S. and allies, risking regional stability, according to U.S. military officials.
American military forces have successfully destroyed several Houthi uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) launched from areas around Yemen and over the Gulf of Aden in the last 24 hours or so, according to U.S. officials.
In an Aug. 5
update, United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said three Houthi UAS launched from areas around Yemen were destroyed over the Gulf of Aden. A Houthi UAS in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen, one uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV), and an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) in the Red Sea were also destroyed.
CENTCOM said all these weapons posed a serious threat to U.S. and allied forces, which in turn is threatening regional stability.
“These weapons presented a clear and imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region,” CENTCOM said.
“This reckless and dangerous behavior by Iranian-backed Houthis continues to threaten regional stability and security.”
The Houthi are a Zaydi Shiite faction who have been fighting Yemen’s Sunni-majority government since 2004 and are listed as a specially designated global terrorist (SDGT) group by the United States government. Iran allegedly supports the Houthi with arms, training, and finance. Iranian officials have mostly denied or downplayed these claims, though.
Houthi Attacks Ongoing Since Last Year
The Houthi first started
attacking ships in the Red Sea and its neighboring waters in October 2023, soon after Israel began its war with the terror group Hamas in retaliation for the Oct. 7 strike, which saw over 1,200 people murdered by Hamas terrorists.
The Houthi rebels have said their attacks are to show support for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and pressure Israel to stop its war against Hamas. An estimated 10 percent of the world’s trade passes through the vital shipping corridor.
Tensions across the Middle East have spiked even further following strikes that killed Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Lebanon last week.
Iran has since blamed Israel for the death of Haniyeh. Israel has not taken responsibility for the strike. Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has
vowed revenge in a social media post on X but provided no other details about what form that retaliation might take.
In recent days, the U.S. has increased its military presence in the Middle East with more fighter jets and warships sent to the region. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin
ordered additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the U.S. European Command and Centcom regions on Aug.2.
According to Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh, the Department of Defense (DOD)
continues to move vessels and aircraft across the Middle East to help defend Israel and ensure U.S. forces can better “respond to a range of contingencies.”
