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US Central Command confirmed that it carried out strikes on Yemen’s Houthis, saying American forces hit 14 missiles that were primed by the Iran-backed resistance group.
“These missiles on launch rails presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region and could have been fired at any time, prompting US forces to exercise their inherent right and obligation to defend themselves,” CENTCOM says in a statement, reports Times of Israel and BBC.
“These strikes, along with other actions we have taken, will degrade the Houthi’s capabilities to continue their reckless attacks on international and commercial shipping,” it added.
The statement noticeably denounces the Houthis after the Biden administration redesignated the group as a terror organization earlier in the day and partially restored sanctions.
Before Wednesday, statements from CENTCOM about the Houthis referred to them as “Iranian-backed militants.”
Earlier on Wednesday evening, Houthis have targeted a US-owned vessel in the Gulf of Aden.
The group said they hit the "Genco Picardy" bulk carrier with missiles which resulted in a "direct hit"
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