The United States launched a new strike against a Houthi target in Yemen.
A US Central Command statement said: “The US destroyer USS Carney carried out this strike using Tomahawk land attack missiles, and it was a follow-up action on a specific military target linked to the strikes carried out on January 12 with the aim of weakening the Houthis’ ability to attack the sea.” Ships, including merchant ships.
“Since November 19, 2023, Iranian-backed Houthi militants have attempted to attack and harass ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden 28 times.
“These unlawful incidents include attacks that used anti-ship ballistic missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles.
“These strikes have nothing to do with and are separate from Operation Prosperity Guardian, which is a defense coalition that includes more than 20 countries operating in the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden.”
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On Friday, American and British planes, ships, and submarines Dozens of air strikes were launched Across Yemen in response to Iran-backed Houthi forces.
After the initial strikes there were reports Small “suspicious” boats. Merchant ships approached the area.
UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it had received a report of two small boats following a vessel for more than an hour.
No weapons were seen, but the “suspicious approach” occurred in an area 80 nautical miles southeast of Aden in Yemen, according to the agency.
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Meanwhile, two US Navy sailors were reported missing at sea while conducting operations off the coast of Somalia.
A statement by the US Central Command said, “Search and rescue operations are currently continuing to locate the two sailors.”
“For operational security purposes, we will not release additional information until the employee recovery process is complete.
“The Sailors are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet (C5F) area of operations in support of a wide range of missions.”
The couple disappeared on January 11.
On Friday, the US Navy warned US-flagged ships to stay away from areas surrounding Yemen in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden for the next 72 hours.
The warning came in a notice to shipping companies as Yemen's Houthis vowed violent retaliation for US-led strikes, raising the possibility of a broader conflict in a region already reeling from Israel's war in Gaza.
US military and White House officials said they expected the Houthis to try to respond.
