USA launched this Wednesday a new wave of attacks against areas in Yemen controlled by rebels Houthis hours after declaring the Shiite group as “terrorist“, reported the US Central Command (CENTCOM, in English) in a statement released through X, formerly Twitter.
“On January 17 at approximately 11:59 p.m. Sanaa), the forces of United States Central Command carried out attacks against 14 Houthi missiles (…) These rail-launched missiles posed an imminent threat to merchant ships and US Navy vessels in the region“, he detailed CENTCOM in the aforementioned social network.
LOOK HERE: The United States again designates the Houthi rebels as a “terrorist” entity, according to media
Likewise, the US Central Command assured that the actions of the Houthis“backed by Iran“, they continue”putting in danger” to international sailors and “interrupting” commercial shipping routes in the south of the Red Sea.
“We will continue to take measures to protect the lives of innocent seafarers and will always protect our people“said the general Michael Erik Kurillaof US Central Command, in the statement.
A few hours earlier, CENTCOM had confirmed that a US ship suffered an attack with naval missiles in the Gulf of Adenlocated off the coast of Yemenwhich did not cause any injuries.
He Genco Picardywhat is the name of this bulk carrier with the flag of the Marshall Islandswas in a position to continue sailing after the attack.
The designation of the Houthis as “terrorists”came days after another bombing campaign by USA and United Kingdom against the group’s military targets in Yemen for the insurgents’ attacks on ships linked to Israel in the Red Sea and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb.
Last Monday, the rebels attacked another American cargo ship with a missile, without causing any injuries or significant damage, and yesterday, Tuesday, they carried out another hostile action against a Greek ship.
The new status for the Houthis will go into effect within 30 days, on February 16, and in a call with journalists US officials assured that Washington “will consider” suspend it if the rebels stop their attacks.
The Houthis have described that designation as a “honor” for supporting Palestinealthough they showed their rejection of this “unfair” decision.
MORE INFORMATION: Greek cargo ship attacked with missile in Red Sea off Yemen, no injuries
For their part, the US and the UK launched a military offensive against the Houthi rebels to defend “freedom of navigation” a week ago.
In a joint statement supported by eight other countries, they then indicated that the decision to attack Houthi positions in Yemen was also motivated by the defense of international trade and those who transit through the waters of the Red Sea, through which almost 15% of trade circulates. global maritime.
In the context of the war in Loopthe Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have begun carrying out these attacks since November 19 on vessels that, they claim, are related to Israel or headed towards that country.
