US pushes back after Yemen attacks

Washington – American forces targeted 14 missiles that were ready to launch in Yemen, the US military said on Wednesday, after Washington re-designated the Iran-backed Huthi rebels as a “terrorist” entity for their attacks on merchant vessels.

The Huthis, who have already faced multiple rounds of air strikes in response to their targeting of international shipping, struck a US-owned bulk cargo carrier in the wake of the designation announcement, and vowed to continue attacks in support of Palestinians in Gaza.

US forces “conducted strikes on 14 Iran-backed Huthi missiles that were loaded to be fired in Huthi-controlled areas in Yemen,” Central Command (Centcom) said.

“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 said.

Hodeida and the city of Taez were among the targets of the first round of US and UK strikes in Yemen last week. Huthi media outlet Al-Masirah TV said both were hit again in the latest strikes, along with three other areas.

The United States announced earlier on Wednesday that it would return the Huthis to a list of “terrorist” entities.

The Huthis, however, said they would not call off their strikes.

“We will not give up targeting Israeli ships or ships heading towards ports in occupied Palestine... in support of the Palestinian people,” the group’s spokesperson Mohammed Abdelsalam said.

While the Huthis say they have been attacking Israeli-linked vessels, Washington says dozens of countries have connections to the ships.