US Forces Destroy Three Houthi Missiles

The United States Central Command, CENTCOM, announced that on Wednesday night, February 7, it successfully destroyed three missiles belonging to Houthi militants backed by the Islamic Republic in Yemen during two self-defense strikes. According to the CENTCOM statement, US forces targeted two anti-ship cruise missiles prepared to be fired at vessels in the Red Sea around 9 PM local time in Sana'a. The second strike occurred at 11:30 PM local time, destroying a missile intended for ground targets that was also ready to launch. CENTCOM added that all three missiles were located in Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen and posed an 'imminent threat' to US Navy ships and commercial vessels in the region. The US action against the Iranian-backed Houthis was aimed at protecting freedom of navigation and making international waters safer for US vessels and commercial ships. On Tuesday, February 6, the Houthis also fired six anti-ship missiles at international shipping lanes, some of which landed in the water, and US forces intercepted at least one of them. Additionally, the US 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 stated that images of Iranian-made missiles and drones matched the weapons used by the Houthis to attack commercial ships in the Red Sea and civilian and port infrastructure throughout the region. It also noted that the Islamic Republic has primarily supplied the Houthis with short- and medium-range ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, and between 2015 and 2023, the US 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 US House of Representatives on Wednesday 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 outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, calls have been made to reclassify the Houthis as a terrorist organization. On January 17, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the Houthis would be listed as an international terrorist group on the US government's list of foreign terrorist organizations within 30 days. US and allied military operations against the Houthis have targeted anti-ship cruise missiles and '36 other targets' in Yemen. The US and UK attacks on Houthi positions have raised warnings from the Islamic Republic about 'suspected spying vessels.' A Houthi spokesman stated that the US and UK airstrikes in Yemen would not go 'unanswered.' Israel reported intercepting a missile fired from the Red Sea. US and UK defense ministers discussed the 'escalation of attacks by Iran-aligned militia groups.' Josep Borrell announced the EU's mission in the Red Sea to protect commercial vessels from Houthi attacks. Denmark is joining the US-led coalition in the Red Sea. A British warship destroyed an attacking drone from the Iranian-backed Houthis. The US has once again urged China to persuade the Islamic Republic to reduce Houthi attacks. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US stated that the goal of the United States in the Red Sea is solely to deter the Houthis, not to escalate tensions.