US destroys Houthi projectiles in Yemen that were set to be launched against commercial ships in the Red Sea

A U.S. official reported that this Thursday, the United States destroyed multiple projectiles from Houthi rebels who were preparing to attack commercial ships passing through the Red Sea from Yemen, as reported by Fox News.

The report clarifies that it was a self-defense movement that is not related to the drone attack that hit a U.S. military base in Jordan, causing the death of three U.S. soldiers and leaving more than 40 injured.

Likewise, the report emphasizes that the United Kingdom did not participate in this operation but was carried out unilaterally by the United States.

The United States destroys an anti-aircraft missile

On Wednesday, U.S. Central Command reported that its forces managed to destroy a surface-to-air missile that was also set to be launched from an area in Yemen controlled by the Houthis.

“On January 31, at approximately 3:30 pm (Sanaa time), Centcom forces struck and destroyed a Houthi surface-to-air missile prepared to launch. U.S. forces identified the missile in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined that it presented an imminent threat to U.S. aircraft,” the statement said.

In recent months, Yemen-based Houthi rebels have carried out dozens of attacks against commercial and naval ships in the Red Sea, causing significant repercussions on shipping.

Now, ships try to avoid the area and divert, generating additional costs and considerable delays. Since the beginning of December, there has been a 40% decrease in the number of ships passing through the area, resulting in a 45% reduction in cargo tonnage, according to the report.

International condemnation of Houthi attacks

Recently, the United States issued a statement alongside more than 20 countries condemning the more than 30 “illegal and reckless” attacks carried out by Houthi rebels since November.

The statement highlights the violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2216 and international law by those who supply weapons to the Houthis to carry out these attacks.

Countries supporting the declaration include Albania, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Italy, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Poland, Republic of Korea, Romania and the United Kingdom.