U.S. launches additional strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen

The United States on Wednesday launched another series of strikes on the Iran-backed Houthi group that has harassed shipping in the Red Sea for months.

The Houthis have subjected critical waterway to hijackings and missile launches that have forced American vessels to intercept the projectiles and safeguard commercial shipping. The group is one of three main factions in the ongoing Yemeni Civil War and controls a swath of territory bordering the Red Sea.

"In the context of ongoing multi-national efforts to protect freedom of navigation and prevent attacks on U.S. and partner maritime traffic in the Red Sea, on Jan. 17 at approximately 11:59 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces conducted strikes on 14 Iran-backed Houthi missiles that were loaded to be fired in Houthi controlled areas in Yemen," U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement. "These missiles on launch rails presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region and could have been fired at any time, prompting U.S. forces to exercise their inherent right and obligation to defend themselves."

"These strikes, along with other actions we have taken, will degrade the Houthi’s capabilities to continue their reckless attacks on international and commercial shipping in the Red Sea, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden," they continued.

The strikes came the same day that the Biden administration restored the Houthi's status as designated terrorist organization after removing them from the list in 2021.

"This designation is an important tool to impede terrorist funding to the Houthis, further restrict their access to financial markets, and hold them accountable for their actions," national security advisor Jake Sullivan said at the time.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.