U.S. Military: Destruction of Two Houthi Boats in the Red Sea

The U.S. Central Command announced late Tuesday that it "successfully destroyed two vessels belonging to the Iran-backed Houthis in the Red Sea," without providing further details about the targets. The statement added that "the vessels posed a clear and imminent threat to U.S. forces, coalition forces, and commercial shipping in the area." Since November, Houthi rebels have been targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, claiming to support the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing war that began on October 7 between the Israeli military and Hamas. Houthi attacks have affected shipping traffic in the strategic region through which 12% of global trade passes. Washington is leading an international maritime coalition aimed at "protecting" maritime navigation. In an attempt to deter them, U.S. and British forces have been conducting strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen since January 12. The U.S. military occasionally carries out strikes on missiles and drones that it claims are prepared for launch.