The US Central Command said on Saturday that it had destroyed numerous Houthi rebels missiles and explosive-laden remotely operated boats as the rebels rejected America’s ultimatum to cease attacks before its decision to re-designate the Houthis as “global terrorists” takes effect on Feb. 16.
CENTCOM said on X that its forces carried out “self-defense strikes” on Friday, targeting two explosive-laden Houthi drone boats, four anti-ship cruise missiles, and one land-attack cruise missile that were ready to launch against US Navy and commercial ships in the Red Sea.
“These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for the US Navy and merchant vessels,” it added.
The new round of bombings came as the Houthis ignored Washington’s request to end their Red Sea operations by Feb. 16, before the terror-designation decision is due to come into effect.
Stephen Fagin, US ambassador to Yemen, said earlier that the US would remove the Houthis’ terrorist label if the Yemeni militia stopped attacking ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden by Friday.
“The designation of the Houthis as a terrorist group will take effect Feb. 16, but it can be reviewed if the Houthi militia ceases their activities in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden,” Fagin said on X.