US CENTCOM has just released a statement saying that US forces in the Red Sea struck and destroyed two anti-ship missiles before they could be launched today.

They say they identified that the missiles were an imminent threat to both merchant and US Navy ships and destroyed them in “self-defense”.

Here’s the release:

As part of ongoing multi-national efforts to protect freedom of navigation and prevent attacks on maritime vessels in the Red Sea, on Jan. 18 U.S. Central Command forces conducted strikes on two Houthi anti-ship missiles that were aimed into the Southern Red Sea and were prepared to launch. U.S. forces identified the missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen at approximately 3:40 p.m. (Sanaa time) and determined they were an imminent threat to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region. U.S. forces subsequently struck and destroyed the missiles in self-defense.

How about instead of destroying the missiles we kill the Houthis trying to shoot them. If we just keep up these defensive tactics they will keep trying to find ways to out maneuver the US military. Make them pay a painful price and maybe they’ll reconsider this terrorist endeavor.