US destroys Houthi targets in Yemen after missile attack in Red Sea

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Saturday that American forces destroyed Houthi targets in Yemen.

"On March 22, between approximately 4:22 a.m. and 11:10 p.m. (Sanaa time), United States Central Command (CENTCOM) forces successfully engaged and destroyed four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen in self-defense," CENTCOM wrote on X.

It reported that during the timeframe, the Houthi group fired four anti-ship ballistic missiles from Yemen toward the Red Sea.

There were no injuries or damage reported by the US, coalition or commercial ships, it said.

CENTCOM said its forces conducted "self-defense strikes against three Houthi underground storage facilities in Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen."

"Illegal Houthi attacks have killed three mariners, sunk a commercial vessel lawfully transiting the Red Sea, disrupted humanitarian aid bound for Yemen, harmed Middle East economies, and caused environmental damage," it added.

Yemen’s 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 recently announced the creation of a multinational mission, Operation Prosperity Guardian, to counter Houthi attacks.