According to U.S. authorities, in the previous 24 hours or so, American military forces have effectively destroyed a number of Houthi unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) that were fired from locations near Yemen and over the Gulf of Aden.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in an update on August 5 that three Houthi unmanned aerial systems that were fired from locations near Yemen were destroyed over the Gulf of Aden. Additionally, three Houthi weapons systems were destroyed: an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) in the Red Sea, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in a Houthi-controlled part of Yemen, and one Houthi UAS.
According to CENTCOM, all of these weapons represent a major risk to the forces of the United States and its allies, endangering the stability of the area.
“These weapons presented a clear and imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region,” CENTCOM said.
“This reckless and dangerous behavior by Iranian-backed Houthis continues to threaten regional stability and security.”
The United States government lists the Houthi, a Zaydi Shiite faction, as a specially designated global terrorist (SDGT) organization. The Houthi have been battling Yemen's Sunni-majority government since 2004. Iran is said to provide the Houthi with financial, military, and training support. However, Iranian officials have mostly refuted or disputed these allegations.
In October 2023, the Houthi began targeting ships in the Red Sea and its surrounding waterways. This was shortly after Israel launched its war against Hamas in retribution for the attack on October 7 that resulted in the massacre of over 1,200 people by Hamas terrorists.
According to the rebels from Houthi, the purpose of their strikes is to encourage Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip and put pressure on Israel to end its conflict with Hamas. Roughly ten percent of global trade travels via this crucial maritime route.
Following last week's strikes that killed Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Lebanon and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, tensions throughout the Middle East have escalated even more.
Since then, Iran has held Israel accountable for Haniyeh's passing. Israel has denied any involvement in the attack. In a social media post on X, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promised reprisal, although he gave no further information regarding what kind of action that may be taken.
The United States of America has dispatched more fighter planes and warships to the Middle East in recent days, bolstering its military presence in the area. Amer. More cruisers and destroyers equipped with ballistic missile defense systems were dispatched to the United States by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. August 2, European Command and Centcom areas.
The Department of Defense (DOD) is still moving planes and ships across the Middle East, according to Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh, in order to support Israel's defense and make sure American forces are better equipped to "respond to a range of contingencies."
