U.S. Airstrikes Hit Houthi Unmanned Vessels and Anti-ship Cruise Missiles in Yemen
Seven U.S. "self-defense" strikes hit Houthi uncrewed surface vessels and mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, said the U.S. Central Command today. The strikes are the latest of the U.S. aerial campaign on the Houthi group that has been attacking shipping lanes in the Red Sea since November last year.
The CENTCOM said in a statement, "On Feb. 8, between the hours of 5 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted seven self-defense strikes against four Houthi unmanned surface vessels (USV) and seven mobile anti-ship cruise missiles that were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea"."
The statement added that the CENTCOM identified these missiles and USVs in Houthi-controlled areas and determined they presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region.
In December of last year, Sheba Intelligencerevealed in a report the types of boats that the Houthi group has deployed in preparation for a long war with the international forces in the Red Sea.
The report indicated that the group possessesunmanned suicide boats, attack boats, and intelligence collection boats. The report added the group wacquired these boats in different ways, such as the takeover of the Yemeni army arsenal, confiscating the fishermen's modern boats, and getting smuggled boats from Iran.
It has been almost one month since the U.S.began striking Houthi sites in Yemen to degrade the military capabilities of the Houthis and counter their attacks on shipping lanes in the Red Sea.
However, the strikes have not deterred the Iran-backed Yemeni group. It says its attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, which Israel has been bombing since October last year.
Yesterday, the Houthi movement leader said the U.S.-UK strikes have had no effect on the group's military power. He added, "He added, "The American talk about the impact of the strikes on our military capabilities is just for entertainment and to save face. The Americans, starting with the president and the army commanders, admit their inability to stop Yemeni attacks on ships linked to Israel."
