US destroys Houthi missile systems in Yemen

The United States said Monday that its forces destroyed two Houthi missile systems and a support vehicle in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen in the past 24 hours.

"Additionally, USCENTCOM forces successfully destroyed one Houthi unmanned aerial vehicle over the Red Sea," US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on X (formerly Twitter).

It was determined that these systems presented a "clear and imminent" threat to US and coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region, it said.

These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters "safer and more secure" for US, coalition and merchant vessels, CENTCOM added.

The Red Sea is one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.

The Houthis have been targeting Israeli-linked cargo ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which has been under an Israeli onslaught since Oct. 7 last year.

Earlier this year, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced a multinational mission, Operation Prosperity Guardian, to counter Houthi attacks.