The US military has destroyed an Iranian-backed Houthi radar site in Yemen, which was deemed a threat to coalition forces and merchant ships in the region.
US Central Command announced the action, stating:
“In the past 24 hours, U.S. Central Command forces successfully destroyed one Iranian-backed Houthi radar site in a Houthi controlled area of Yemen.
It was determined the radar site presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. This action was taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure.”
Operation Prosperity Guardian is a United States-led coalition formed in December 2023 to counter Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. The Houthi movement began blockading Israel and attacking commercial vessels following the Israel-Hamas war outbreak in October 2023, aiming to prevent the bombing of Gaza and force Israel to allow food and medicine into the area.
The coalition, comprising over 20 nations, was created to address these threats and ensure the safety of international maritime commerce. The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution on 10 January demanding an end to Houthi attacks on merchant vessels, leading to increased coalition airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.