US and Houthis exchange strikes as Red Sea conflict grows

Recent events follow the US redesignating the Houthis as a terrorist organization, as well as calls from multiple countries to de-escalate conflict in trade routes.

 Israel Navy missile ships head to the Red Sea after several aerial intrusions by Houthi drones, November 1, 2023 (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
Israel Navy missile ships head to the Red Sea after several aerial intrusions by Houthi drones, November 1, 2023
(photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

The US military conducted a series of strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, as reported by American news sources on Wednesday.

The United States Central Command, through social media platforms, disclosed that the Houthi missiles posed an imminent threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region, prompting the decision to launch strikes on 14 Houthi missiles loaded to be fired from Yemen.

This development follows Yemen's Houthi movement targeting the US Genco Picardy bulk carrier with missiles earlier in the day, resulting in a "direct hit," according to the group's military spokesperson, Yahya Sarea.

 Newly recruited fighters who joined a Houthi military force intended to be sent to fight in support of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, march during a parade in Sanaa, Yemen December 2, 2023.  (credit: REUTERS/KHALED ABDULLAH)
Newly recruited fighters who joined a Houthi military force intended to be sent to fight in support of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, march during a parade in Sanaa, Yemen December 2, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/KHALED ABDULLAH)

Sarea underscored that the naval forces would not hesitate to target all sources of threat in the Red and Arabian Sea, asserting the legitimate right to defend Yemen and continue supporting the oppressed Palestinian people.

Both of these events follow the US redesignating the Houthis as a terrorist organization, as well as calls from multiple countries to de-escalate conflict in trade routes.