The U.S. launched additional strikes on targets in Yemen where the Houthis rebels were preparing to launch further attacks on international shipping on Wednesday, according to multiple reports.
The U.S. military launched munitions from ships and submarines at the Houthi-linked targets for the fourth time since Thursday after the initial U.S.-led multi-nation counterattacks triggered retaliation from the Houthi rebels, CBS News and The Associated Press reported, citing U.S. officials speaking on condition of anonymity. Earlier Wednesday, an explosive-laden drone struck and sparked a fire aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged Genco Picardy, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said, marking the fourth reported attack since the U.S.-led strikes on targets in Yemen.
The U.S. would not hesitate to take military action against the Houthis to prevent future attacks, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said at a briefing Wednesday.
“They are exploiting this situation to conduct attacks against the ships and vessels from more than 50 countries … around the world. And so we’re going to continue to work with our partners in the region to prevent those attacks or deter those attacks in the future,” Ryder said. (RELATED: Pentagon Insists Israel Conflict Has Not Escalated After Middle East Chaos Spikes)
At approximately 8:30 pm (Sanaa time) Jan. 17, an assessed one-way attack UAS was launched from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen and struck M/V Genco Picardy in the Gulf of Aden. M/V Genco Picardy is a Marshall Islands flagged, U.S. owned and operated bulk carrier ship.
There… pic.twitter.com/kAXPaCqYxV
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 17, 2024
A multi-nation operation led by the U.S. launched expansive strikes with aircraft, warships and submarines on munitions depots and launch sites for weapons the Houthis have used to target international shipping in the Red Sea on Jan. 12. More than 150 different types of munitions bombarded more than 60 targets at 28 locations, Pentagon officials have said.
The Pentagon has said that the Thursday evening strikes degraded the Houthis’ ability to carry out further attacks. But, the strikes only took out between 20% and 30% of the Houthi’s total ability to continue launching missiles and drones at international shipping and U.S. Navy assets, The New York Times reported.
“Clearly they maintain some capability. And we anticipated that after any action, there would likely be some retaliatory strikes. And that’s what you’re seeing now,” Ryder explained on Wednesday.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Biden administration re-listed the Houthis as a specially designated global terrorist group.
CENTCOM did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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