Barran Press
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Tuesday that it destroyed a radar site belonging to the Houthi rebels in Yemen, claiming it posed an "imminent threat" to US forces, coalition partners, and commercial shipping.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) seen by Barran Press, CENTCOM stated that its forces successfully destroyed the radar site located in a Houthi-controlled area within the past 24 hours. The statement emphasized that the radar site represented a significant danger to regional security, including American and allied forces as well as civilian vessels.
CENTCOM asserted that these actions were taken to safeguard freedom of navigation and ensure the safety of international waters.
This strike comes following a series of attacks by the Houthis on commercial ships in the Red Sea, including an alleged attack on an Israeli vessel, an American vessel, a British vessel, and a fourth ship accused of violating a blockade against Israeli ports. These attacks, which began in November 2023, have led to increased maritime insurance costs and prompted many shipping companies to opt for the significantly longer route around the southern tip of Africa.
In response to the escalating tensions, the United States, a key ally of Israel, formed a multinational coalition in December 2023 to protect maritime traffic from Houthi attacks. Alongside this effort, US forces have been conducting intermittent strikes against Houthi military targets.