The U.S. Navy launched cruise missiles late Friday against a radar site in Yemen used by Houthi militants.
n a significant move, the U.S. Navy launched cruise missiles late Friday against a radar site in Yemen used by Houthi militants to target commercial and navy ships in the Red Sea. The USS Carney, a guided missile destroyer, fired Tomahawk land attack missiles at the radar site in response to previous attacks on shipping lanes.
The strikes follow a joint operation by U.S. and British forces that targeted 28 sites in Yemen housing radar installations, drones, and anti-ship missiles. While initial intelligence indicated success in hitting these targets, the Houthis retaliated by firing an anti-ship missile into the Red Sea after the initial attacks.
The escalation in U.S. involvement in the Middle East comes amid Israel’s war in Gaza, presenting a potential threat of conflict spreading across the region. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had recently commenced urgent missions in the Middle East to contain spillover from the ongoing conflicts.
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The Houthis, who control parts of Yemen, have been responsible for 28 attacks on busy shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since late November. They claim these actions are in response to Israel’s invasion of Gaza.
The attacks on commercial shipping have forced major shipping lines, including Maersk, to divert ships, taking a longer and more expensive route around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. In response, the Pentagon initiated a multinational effort to protect the Red Sea, a crucial route for reaching the Suez Canal.
The recent U.S. strikes in Yemen were triggered by a Houthi attack involving drones and missiles earlier in the week, which raised alarms at the Pentagon. The ongoing conflict poses a threat to regional stability, and the U.S. has taken action to safeguard vital maritime routes and counter Houthi aggression. The situation remains tense as global powers navigate the complexities of the Middle East.