The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Saturday that its forces destroyed a missile and a launcher belonging to the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, within the past 24 hours.

In a statement posted on X, seen by "Barran Press ", CENTCOM stated, "Over the past 24 hours, US Central Command forces successfully destroyed a missile and a launch system belonging to the Iranian-backed Houthis in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen."

The statement emphasized that these weapons posed an imminent threat to US and coalition forces, as well as commercial vessels in the region. The action was taken to safeguard freedom of navigation and ensure the safety and security of international waters.

Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched missile and drone attacks against commercial ships in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Yemen, claiming they are in support of Gaza, which is facing an Israeli offensive.

These attacks have led to increased maritime insurance costs and prompted many international shipping companies to opt for the much longer route around the southern tip of Africa.

In response to the Houthi attacks, the US-led "Operation Sentinel" coalition, which includes significant British participation, launched airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen in January 2024. The Houthis have expanded their operations to target vessels linked to Washington and London, according to their announcements.

Over the past two weeks, the Houthi group has not claimed responsibility for any attacks. Their last attack, before the Israeli strike on Hodeidah, was on July 19, targeting the vessel "Lobivia" in the Gulf of Aden.