The U.S. Destroys Two Houthi Vessels and Three Cruise Missiles

On Sunday, February 11, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced in a statement the continuation of attacks on positions and weapons of the Houthis, a group supported by the Islamic Republic in Yemen. According to the CENTCOM statement, between 4 PM and 5 PM on Saturday, local time in Sana'a, two unmanned mobile vessels and three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles in northern Hodeidah were successfully targeted. The statement added that these Houthi weapons were ready to fire and were attacked as they were deemed an 'imminent threat' to U.S. Navy ships and commercial vessels in the area. CENTCOM emphasized that these actions protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer for U.S. and commercial ships. On Friday, CENTCOM also destroyed two unmanned surface vessels, four mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, and one cruise missile intended for Houthi ground attacks that were ready to launch. Additionally, on Wednesday, February 7, CENTCOM had successfully destroyed three Houthi missiles in self-defense. The Houthis had fired six anti-ship missiles at international shipping lines on Tuesday, February 6, some of which landed in the water, and U.S. forces shot down at least one of them. The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency confirmed that the Houthis have used Iranian-made missiles and drones against military and civilian targets across the Middle East. The report indicated that images of Iranian-made missiles and drones matched those used by the Houthis to attack commercial vessels in the Red Sea and civilian and port infrastructure throughout the region. It also stated that the Islamic Republic primarily supplied short and medium-range ballistic missiles and cruise missiles to the Houthis, and between 2015 and 2023, the U.S. and its allies seized at least 18 vessels belonging to the Islamic Republic that intended to deliver ballistic missile components, drones, anti-tank guided missiles, and thousands of assault rifles to the Houthis. In this context, dozens of Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives have urged President Joe Biden to 'immediately' designate Yemen's Ansar Allah, or the Houthis, as a foreign terrorist organization. Following the increase in Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea after the onset of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, calls have been made to reclassify the Houthis as a terrorist organization. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on January 17 that the Houthis would be designated as an international terrorist group on the U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations in 30 days, before the end of February. The Pentagon reported that over 40 militants were killed or wounded in last Friday's attacks on groups supported by the Islamic Republic. A German frigate has set sail for the Red Sea to protect commercial vessels. As international coalition attacks on Houthi positions continue, Yemen's Prime Minister has changed. U.S. and allied military operations against the Houthis have targeted anti-ship cruise missiles and '36 other targets' in Yemen. U.S. and British attacks on Houthi positions have prompted the Islamic Republic to warn about 'suspected spying vessels.' A Houthi spokesperson stated that the U.S. and British airstrikes on Yemen would not go 'unanswered.' Israel reported intercepting a missile launched from the Red Sea. Josep Borrell announced the EU's mission in the Red Sea to protect commercial vessels from Houthi attacks. The extensive deployment of Indian naval ships near the Red Sea aims to combat piracy. Denmark is joining the U.S.-led coalition in the Red Sea. A British ship destroyed a Houthi drone supported by the Islamic Republic. The U.S. has once again urged China to convince the Islamic Republic to reduce Houthi attacks. A fire on a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden has been extinguished. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the U.S. Army stated that the U.S. goal in the Red Sea is solely to deter the Houthis, not to escalate tensions.