US destroys Houthi anti-ship missile

The US military said it had struck a Houthi anti-ship missile in Yemen in “self-defense” as the group prepared to launch a projectile into the Gulf of Aden.

"US forces determined the missile posed a threat to US merchant and naval vessels in the area and therefore attacked and destroyed it in self-defense," the US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on social network X on January 20.

CENTCOM added that the latest airstrike was conducted in Yemen at dawn. This was the fifth US attack targeting Houthi missile launch sites in the past week.

The US military announced on January 19 that it had conducted three airstrikes targeting three anti-ship missiles of the Houthis in Yemen that the group was preparing to launch into the southern Red Sea.

A US F/A-18E fighter jet takes off from an aircraft carrier in a photo released on January 12. Photo: CENTCOM — A US F/A-18E fighter jet takes off from an aircraft carrier in a photo released on January 12. Photo: *CENTCOM*

Attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces on ships in and around the Red Sea over the past several weeks have disrupted trade between Asia and Europe and raised the risk of escalating regional conflict.

The Houthis, who control the capital Sanaa and large swathes of western Yemen, said they attacked to show solidarity and support for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has been conducting an anti-Hamas campaign since October last year.

The US has been carrying out airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen since last week and redesignated the group as a terrorist group this week. President Joe Biden said the US would continue airstrikes even as he acknowledged they may not stop Houthi attacks.

According to the US military, Houthi forces launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles towards the US-owned oil tanker on January 18. The missiles landed in the water near the ship's location and caused no damage.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan expressed concern that tensions in the Red Sea region could spiral out of control and escalate into a major conflict.

"Of course we are very worried. We are in a very difficult and dangerous moment. That is why we are calling for de-escalation," he said on CNN 's Fareed Zakaria GPS program airing today.