CENTCOM Strikes Houthi Ready-to-Launch Missiles; US: Attacks Are Defensive

The United States Central Command, CENTCOM, announced that it has destroyed anti-ship missiles belonging to the 'Houthi terrorists.' In a statement on Thursday, it said that on January 17, US Central Command forces conducted strikes against two Houthi anti-ship missiles. CENTCOM stated that these missiles were targeted towards the southern Red Sea and were ready for launch. The statement indicates that American forces identified the missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen around 3:40 PM local time in Sana'a and determined that they posed an imminent threat to commercial vessels and US Navy ships in the region. According to the statement, US forces then targeted the missiles in self-defense and destroyed them. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Wednesday, January 16, that the 'Ansar Allah' group, also known as the Houthis, will be designated as an international terrorist organization within 30 days. He stated that this decision was made in response to Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in international shipping routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, as well as on military forces stationed in the region to ensure the safety and security of navigation. The US recently announced that it discovered and seized Iranian-made weapons intended for the Houthis from a vessel. Blinken: Houthis Will Again Be Added to the US Terrorist Organizations List. France: The European Union Will Impose New Sanctions Against Hamas.