US Hits Houthi Missiles Loaded On Launch Rails To Be Fired At Red Sea Shipping

The UN Security Council is expected to vote on a resolution later Wednesday demanding the Huthis stop targetting maritime traffic in the Red Sea — AFP

The United States on Wednesday struck Houthi missile launchers that were being readied to attack maritime shipping in the Red Sea.

U.S Central Command said its forces struck "14 Iran-backed Houthi missiles that were loaded to be fired in Houthi controlled areas in Yemen."

It wrote on X: "These missiles on launch rails presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region and could have been fired at any time, prompting U.S. forces to exercise their inherent right and obligation to defend themselves.

The strikes happened just before midnight Sanaa time.

U.S. CENTCOM Strikes Houthi Terrorist Missile Launchers

In the context of ongoing multi-national efforts to protect freedom of navigation and prevent attacks on U.S. and partner maritime traffic in the Red Sea, on Jan. 17 at approximately 11:59 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central… pic.twitter.com/MMCQbzr1f7
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 18, 2024

This is the third such strike by U.S. forces. US and British forces have bombed the Yemeni rebels since Friday.

The Houthis have struck several ships since they started firing missiles into the vital waterway, forcing shipping companies to reroute cargo around the cape of Africa. The diversions have threatened to further strain supply chains and drive up prices and inflation across the world even as the global economy struggles.

The Houthis say their attacks will cease when Israel ends its blockade of Gaza, where Israeli forces are fighting intense battles in a bid to find the more than 100 hostages still being held by Hamas terrorists.