The US Central Command reported on Wednesday that its forces had destroyed a missile system in a Houthi rebels territory in Yemen that was targeting ships in international waters.
This is the second time in the past 24 hours that the US military has said that it is targeting Houthi missile systems in undefined locations in Houthi-controlled Yemeni territory.
“It was determined this system presented an imminent threat to US and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region,” CENTCOM said.
Local media and people reported hearing loud explosions and seeing heavy smoke pouring from a Houthi military facility in the province of Ibb on Tuesday, apparently struck by the US, as CENTCOM announced the destruction of two Houthi missile systems on the ground in Yemen.
Since January, the US and the UK have launched dozens of strikes on Houthi targets in Sanaa, Hodeidah, Saada, Ibb and other Yemeni provinces held by the Houthis, reportedly striking drone and missile launchers and storage facilities, as well as remotely controlled and explosives-laden boats preparing to target ships in international shipping lanes off Yemen.
Since November, the Houthis have destroyed two commercial ships, including one carrying more than 21,000 tons of fertilizer, seized another, and fired hundreds of ballistic missiles, drones, and drone boats at more than 100 ships in Yemen’s commercial channels.