United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said Wednesday that the Yemen’s Houthis launched on Tuesday, between 2:00 AM and 4:30 AM, one close-range ballistic missile towards USS Laboon in the Red Sea, the missile did not impact the vessel and there were no injuries or damage reported - per the statement.

 

CENTCOM added that a “US and a coalition vessel” successfully engaged and destroyed two unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

 

“It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships,” according to the statement, and that these actions are taken to protect “freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels.”

 

Since November 19th, the Houthis have been conducting attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea suspected to be linked to the Israeli Occupation or heading to its ports, in response to the ongoing aggression against Gaza.