US military launches self-defense attack on Houthi armed facilities in Yemen

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Friday that the U.S. military carried out self-defense attacks on three Houthi armed underground weapons storage facilities in areas controlled by the Houthi armed forces in Yemen.

The Houthis issued a statement on the X website saying that the attack targeted the capabilities used by the Houthis to threaten and attack naval and commercial ships in the region.

Central Command also said its forces destroyed four drones in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen in self-defense.

Attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea region have disrupted global shipping, forcing companies to take longer and more expensive journeys in southern Africa. Iran-aligned militants said the attacks were in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

Mohammed Ali Houthi, chairman of the Houthi Supreme Revolutionary Council, said earlier that the United States and Britain had launched a “reckless” attack on Yemen. The Saba news agency controlled by the Houthi armed forces said that US and British aircraft had launched five attacks on Hodeida, the main port of Yemen.

Central Command said Houthi militants fired four anti-ship ballistic missiles into the Red Sea from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen during a U.S. drone attack.

“No injuries or damage were reported by U.S., coalition or commercial vessels,” the statement said.

Central Command said the attacks on the storage facilities were “necessary actions to protect our forces, ensure freedom of navigation and make international waters safer for U.S., coalition forces and commercial vessels.”