U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Sunday that its forces had successfully neutralised a Houthi UAS in Yemen. The operation took place within the airspace over a Houthi-controlled region, CENTCOM confirmed.
A CENTCOM press release clarified that the Houthi drone posed an imminent threat to both US and coalition forces, as well as merchant vessels operating in the area. CENTCOM emphasized that the action was part of ongoing efforts to safeguard freedom of navigation and ensure the security of international waters.
Since the start of the conflict in Gaza, Iranian-backed Houthi forces have increased their activities in the region, launching drones toward southern Israel and targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea. In response to the escalating threat, the US has assembled a coalition of over 20 nations aimed at protecting commercial maritime traffic from such attacks.
In January, the US and Britain, with support from other nations, launched coordinated strikes on nearly 30 Houthi posições using 150 different weapons. Despite these efforts, the Houthis have remained resolute, stating that their campaign will continue and that they will persist in targeting American and British vessels.
On Thursday, the US State Department announced sanctions against one individual and six companies, as well as the blocking of three vessels.
“Since the Houthis began their attacks on Red Sea shipping last year, the United States has sanctioned dozens of entities, individuals and ships associated with the network of al-Jamal,” State Department spokesman Vedant Patel wrote in a statement.
These sanctions were imposed due to their involvement in generating illicit revenue to support the Houthis’ destabilising activities.
Post Image Credit – Houthi media release
