The US military said it carried out 15 strikes on Friday against targets linked to Iran-aligned Houthi fighters in Yemen, where residents reported blasts at military outposts and even an airport.
Central Command, which oversees US forces in the Middle East, said the targets were tied to Houthi offensive military capabilities but did not detail whether that included missile, drone, or radar capabilities.
In a post on X, Central Command said the strikes occurred at about 1400 GMT.
CENTCOM’s announcement comes after Al Masirah TV, the main television news outlet run by the Houthi movement controlling much of Yemen, reported strikes in Sanaa and Hodeidah.
Strikes also targeted the south of Dhamar city and the southeast of al-Bayda province, the channel added.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted strikes on 15 Houthi targets in Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen today at about 5 p.m. (Sanaa time). These targets included Houthi offensive military capabilities. These actions were taken to protect freedom of… pic.twitter.com/w8dC2lacpP
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) October 4, 2024
Regional implications
Residents said that the attack on al-Bayda province targeted several Houthi military outposts.
Al Masirah TV reported that the strikes had been carried out by the United States and British forces, but a British government source said Britain was not involved.
Iran-aligned Houthi terrorists have launched attacks on international shipping near Yemen since last November in solidarity with Palestinians in Israel’s war with Hamas.
The attacks have drawn US and British retaliatory strikes and disrupted global trade as ship owners reroute vessels away from the Red Sea and Suez Canal to sail the longer route around the southern tip of Africa.
Following the airstrikes, a Houthi spokesman called the attack “a desperate attempt,” adding that “Yemen will not be deterred by these attacks and will continue its steadfastness in confronting the enemies.”