CENTCOM Commander: Houthis and Their Iranian Supporters Responsible for Illegal Attacks in the Region

The commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), following a joint attack by the U.S. and Britain on Houthi positions in several regions of Yemen, stated: "We hold the Houthi militants and their destabilizing Iranian supporters responsible for illegal, reckless, and indiscriminate attacks on international shipping routes in the region." General Michael Eric Kurilla, in a statement published on Friday, January 12, on the messaging platform X, noted that these attacks "have affected 55 countries and endangered the lives of hundreds of seafarers, including American sailors." He emphasized that the "illegal and dangerous actions" of the Houthis will not be tolerated and they will be held accountable. CENTCOM announced that U.S. Central Command forces, in coordination with Britain and supported by Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and Bahrain, conducted joint strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen early Friday morning to "reduce their ability to continue their illegal attacks on American and international ships and commercial vessels in the Red Sea." The statement indicated that the attacks on Houthi targets occurred at 2:30 AM on Friday, targeting radar systems, air defense systems, warehouses, and rocket launch sites. CENTCOM pointed out that the Iranian-backed Houthis have attempted to attack 27 ships in international shipping lanes since October 16 of this year. According to the statement, in these "illegal" attacks, anti-ship ballistic missiles, drones, and cruise missiles were used in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. CENTCOM clarified that the attacks early Friday on Houthi targets were unrelated to the "Guardian of Prosperity" operation, a maritime coalition of 20 countries led by the U.S. in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and Gulf of Aden, and were conducted separately. Earlier, the President of the United States confirmed in a statement the U.S. and British attacks on Houthi positions in Yemen, stating: "These attacks were carried out at my direction and with the presence of U.S. and British military forces, successfully, united, and decisively, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands." President Joe Biden described the purpose of the attacks on Houthi positions as "ensuring freedom of navigation in one of the world's most vital waterways," stating: "These attacks are a direct response to the unprecedented Houthi attacks on international maritime vessels, including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history in the Red Sea."