UPDATE - Houthis launched 2 anti-ship ballistic missiles into Red Sea on Thursday: US

ADDS CENTCOM STATEMENT

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The Yemeni Houthi group launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) into the Red Sea on Thursday, the US military announced Friday.

"There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial ships," Central Command (CENTCOM) wrote on X.

"This continued malign and reckless behavior by the Iranian-backed Houthis threatens regional stability and endangers the lives of mariners across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden".

Separately, CENTCOM announced that it "successfully" engaged one land attack cruise missile (LACM) in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.

It said the actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters "safer and more secure" for US, coalition and merchant vessels.

The Houthi group has been targeting cargo ships in the Red Sea owned or operated by Israeli companies or transporting goods to and from Israel in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which has been under an Israeli onslaught since Oct. 7.

The Red Sea is one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the creation earlier this year of a multinational mission, Operation Prosperity Guardian, to counter Houthi attacks.