The U.S. military destroyed two surface-to-air missiles (SAM) and four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on the ground in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, said U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
“It was determined that these weapons posed an immediate threat to the U.S., coalition forces, and commercial vessels in the region,” CENTCOM wrote on X.
“These actions were taken to protect the freedom of navigation and make international waters safer,” it added.
The Houthis have targeted Israel-linked cargo ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which has been under Israeli attack since October 7 of last year.
The Red Sea is one of the world’s most heavily trafficked waterways for oil and fuel shipments.
Earlier this year, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced a multinational mission, Operation Prosperity Guardian, to counter Houthi attacks.
