Image source by Us central command |
In a continued response to Houthi aggressions, the United States executed another retaliatory strike against Houthi militants in Yemen on Friday. The strike targeted a Houthi radar site and was conducted by the USS Carney (DDG 64) using Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles. This action was a direct follow-up to the events on January 12, when the Houthis launched an anti-ship missile at a vessel in the Bay of Aden, which fortunately landed harmlessly in the water.
The Central Command (CENTCOM) released a statement confirming the airstrike, indicating that it was part of a broader strategy to degrade the Houthi's ability to target maritime vessels, including commercial ships. The USS Carney's involvement showcased the utilization of advanced weaponry to achieve specific military objectives.
This recent strike comes in the wake of Thursday's extensive airstrikes by the U.S., which targeted 28 Houthi locations associated with the use of drones and rockets to attack commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Bay of Aden. The strikes on Thursday were executed by Tomahawk cruise missiles fired from U.S. Navy destroyers, British warplanes, and U.S. Navy fighter aircraft operating from the USS Eisenhower aircraft carrier.
Following these retaliatory actions, Houthi officials vowed to retaliate against the U.S. President Joe Biden, while addressing the media, praised the success of the strikes, referring to them as a "triumph." He affirmed the U.S. commitment to respond further if the Houthi militants persist with their disruptive actions.
General Douglas Sims, the head of the Joint Staff, expressed optimism that the recent strikes had significantly degraded the Houthi's capability to launch large-scale attacks. He mentioned ongoing assessments but believed that the ability of the Houthis to execute similar attacks had been compromised.
Despite concerns about potential retaliation, President Biden and U.S. officials emphasized their readiness to respond to any future provocations by the Houthis. The focus of these military actions remains on safeguarding international shipping lanes and ensuring the free flow of global commerce.
While the strikes aimed to deter Houthi aggression, U.S. officials clarified that the primary objective was to disrupt the Houthi's capacity to impede global freedom of navigation in international waters. They emphasized the importance of their actions in achieving this strategic goal, with a hopeful outlook that further hostilities can be avoided for the greater stability of the region.
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