The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that its forces carried out a self-defense attack against Houthi forces early Sunday.
In a statement released Sunday night, CENTCOM explained that U.S. forces “engaged four anti-ship cruise missiles, all of which were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.”
“US forces identified the missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined that they posed an imminent threat to US Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region,” the CENTCOM statement read.
“These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer for U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels.”
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A missile is launched from a warship during the US-led coalition operation against Yemen's Houthi rebels. (US Central Command)
Earlier on Sunday, CENTCOM released video showing US forces supporting joint strikes against Iran-backed Houthi militants on Saturday.
The video showed rockets launching from the ships in total darkness. The efforts were part of joint attacks against the Houthis, which included support from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Bahrain, the Netherlands and New Zealand.
CENTCOM said Saturday's strikes were launched from the USS Carney, USS Gravely and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.
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Armed rebels from the Iran-backed Houthi militia take part in a demonstration against the United States and Israel, amid rising tensions between the United States and the Houthis following the latter's various operations in the Red Sea. (Osamah Yahya/Picture Alliance via Getty Images)
Since the war between Israel and Hamas escalated in the fall, the Houthis have routinely attacked commercial ships in the Red Sea.
On Saturday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the recent counterattacks are aimed at “degrading the capabilities” of the Houthis.
“These attacks are intended to further disrupt and degrade the capabilities of the Iranian-backed Houthi militia to carry out their reckless and destabilizing attacks against U.S. and international vessels legally transiting the Red Sea,” Austin said in a statement Saturday. .
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U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin participates in a meeting with Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto at the Pentagon on June 23, 2023 in Arlington, Virginia. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
“This collective action sends a clear message to the Houthis that they will continue to bear further consequences if they do not end their illegal attacks on international shipping and warships,” he added.
Fox News Digital's Bradford Betz and Louis Casiano contributed to this report.
