US strikes Houthi targets
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it has carried out new "self-defense" strikes against certain targets belonging to Houthi forces in Yemen.
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In a statement from CENTCOM, it was stated that "on February 13, at 14:35 local time, US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted a successful 'preemptive' strike against a mobile anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) battery in areas controlled by the Iranian-backed Houthi forces."
The statement also noted that at 21:20 local time, it was detected that an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) was fired from Houthi-controlled areas into the Gulf of Aden.
The statement conveyed that no intervention was made "as the missile was not expected to fall near any ship," and it was stated that there was "no damage or injury" as a result of this attack.
The Houthis in Yemen announced on Monday that they had struck a US-owned ship in the Red Sea, while CENTCOM stated that the Marshall Islands-flagged cargo ship, which was carrying corn from Brazil, belonged to a Greek company.
THE SITUATION IN THE RED SEA
The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen began seizing commercial ships they claimed were linked to Israeli companies off the coast of Yemen on October 31, 2023, in response to Israel's attacks in Gaza, and have also been carrying out attacks on some with drones and missiles.
During this process, US forces have announced many times that they have shot down missiles and kamikaze drones launched from Yemen.
Following the actions of the Houthis, numerous shipping companies decided to suspend their voyages in the Red Sea.
On December 18, 2023, the US announced the creation of a multinational "maritime task force" called "Operation Prosperity Guardian" against Houthi forces, citing the threat to global maritime trade security.
On December 31, 2023, three Houthi speedboats attempting to seize a ship linked to Israel in the Red Sea were fired upon by US helicopters.
On January 10, the Houthis announced that a US ship in the Red Sea had been targeted with missiles and kamikaze drones on the grounds that it was supporting Israel.
On January 11, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution submitted by the US and Japan demanding an immediate end to the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
Approximately 12 percent of global trade is conducted through the Suez Canal, which offers the shortest route between Europe and Asia by connecting the Mediterranean to the Red Sea.