The US destroyed 20 Houthi missiles and an unmanned underwater vessel posing a threat to ships in the Red Sea on Monday after the Yemen-based rebel group vowed to increase its attacks during Ramadan.
US Central Command said 18 anti-ship missiles and the underwater vessel were destroyed in a series of “six self-defense strikes” in the areas of Yemen controlled by the Houthis.
“It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region,” Centcom said in a statement, noting the strikes were conducted to “protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer.”
Another two anti-ship ballistic missiles were intercepted and destroyed hours later as the terror group fired at the Liberian-flagged Pinocchio merchant ship.
There were no injuries or damages to the boat, according to US officials.
Houthi military rep Yahya Sarea said Tuesday that his group targeted and struck the ship, which he incorrectly described as an “American” vessel. This is not the first time Houthi officials have claimed to hit a ship that was protected by intercepting fire.
Along with the American strikes, Italy touted that its Caio Duilio destroyer took out two Houthi drones as a part of the European Union’s naval mission in the Red Sea.
As the US, EU and the United Kingdom all work to protect merchant vessels from the daily Houthi attacks, Sarea said the group has vowed to escalate their assaults during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began Sunday evening.
The Houthis launched their campaign in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden as a show of solidarity with Hamas in response to the Israeli war in Gaza.
The daily strikes have impacted the key global shipping route connecting Europe with Asia, forcing companies to invest in longer trips around Africa lest their crew and cargo fall prey to the terror group.
Last week, the Iran-backed terrorists killed three crew members of the Greek-operated True Confidence, the first civilians causalities of the maritime attacks.
The ship had been greatly damaged in the attack, which forced the surviving crew to abandon ship as a US warship and the Indian navy were deployed to help the rescue effort.
With Post wires