The United States military on Sunday struck an anti-ship cruise missile "prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea" in the Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
"On Feb. 4, at approximately 4 am (Sanaa time) [01:00 GMT], US Central Command forces conducted a strike in self-defense against a Houthi anti-ship cruise missile prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea. US forces identified the cruise missile in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined it presented an imminent threat to US Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region," CENTCOM said on X.
The command added that "this action will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US Navy vessels and merchant vessels."
Following the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis have declared that they will attack Israeli territory and will not allow related ships to pass through the waters of the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait until the operation in the enclave is halted.
The US and the UK have been striking Houthi targets since mid-January, calling it a response to threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. A member of Houthis' high political council, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, described the Western attacks as "barbaric terrorism" and "deliberate and unjustified aggression."