U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said on On March 22, between approximately 4:22 a.m. and 11:10 p.m.ٍSanaa time), its forces successfully engaged and destroyed four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen in self-defense.
CENTCOM added in latest update that "during this timeframe, Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists fired four anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Red Sea.
Earlier CENCOM said its forces had on Friday struck three underground storage facilities used by Yemen's Houthi rebels, as they continue to launch attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.
CENTCOM added its forces had also "successfully engaged and destroyed four unmanned aerial vehicles" in Houthi rebels-controlled areas of Yemen throughout Friday, while also registering four anti-ship ballistic missiles fired by the Houthis toward the Red Sea.
The Houthis began attacking ships in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea in November, causing insurance costs spiraling for vessels transiting the Red Sea and prompted many shipping firms to take the far longer passage around the southern tip of Africa instead.
Meanwhile Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Celeste Wallander, said during a congressional hearing that the Houthis have carried out at least 50 attacks on ships off the coast of Yemen since November.
Speaking at the same hearing, US Army General Michael Kurilla said the Houthis easily replace equipment damaged by the US-led coalition. “We must increase the work done at the international level so that we can inspect ships arriving in Hudaydah,” the Yemeni port city which overlooks the Red Sea and is governed by the Houthis, he said, claiming the group is receiving weapons shipments from Iran.