The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced early Wednesday, July 24, 2024, that it had destroyed three missile launch sites belonging to the Houthi rebels, designated as a terrorist organization.

In a statement on X (monitored by "Barran Press"), CENTCOM stated, "Over the past 24 hours, US Central Command forces successfully destroyed three Houthi missile launch sites in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen." The sites, according to CENTCOM, posed "an imminent threat to the United States, coalition forces, and commercial vessels in the region." The statement emphasized that these actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and ensure the safety and security of international waters.

Since November 2023, the Houthis, recognized as a terrorist group by numerous countries, have continued to launch missile and drone attacks against commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. These attacks have led to increased maritime insurance costs and prompted many international shipping companies to opt for the significantly longer route around the southern tip of Africa.

In December 2023, the United States formed a multinational coalition to deter the Houthis and safeguard maritime navigation. Since then, US forces have conducted intermittent airstrikes against Houthi military targets.

Since January 12, the US and UK have carried out approximately 560 airstrikes against the Houthis, resulting in the deaths of 58 individuals and injuries to 86 others, according to the Houthi group's own admission.

The internationally recognized Yemeni government maintains that Western airstrikes are ineffective in neutralizing the Houthi threat to navigation. They argue that the most effective solution is to support Yemeni armed forces in retaking Hodeidah, its ports, and other areas under Houthi control.

Despite the continued Houthi attacks, only three out of 162 vessels claimed to have been targeted since November have reported significant incidents or injuries.

The US strikes highlight the ongoing efforts to counter the Houthi threat in the Red Sea and protect freedom of navigation in the region. However, the conflict's complexities and the lack of a comprehensive solution continue to pose challenges for international security and humanitarian efforts in Yemen.