US Forces Destroy Houthi Radars, Drones Following Attacks on Commercial Ships in Red Sea

U.S. forces carried out successful attacks late this week targeting assets of the Houthi terrorists in Yemen, according to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees operations in the Middle East.

In an update on June 14, the CENTCOM reported that the U.S. military destroyed seven radars in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, which had allowed the Iranian-backed group to “target maritime vessels and endanger commercial shipping.”

It did not provide further details on how the sites were destroyed.

In addition to the attacks on the radars, U.S. forces neutralized one flying drone launched by Houthi forces from Yemen and two Houthi drone boats in the Red Sea, according to the CENTCOM.

The U.S. strikes followed a series of Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the busy Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping lanes.

On June 13, the Houthis launched two anti-ship cruise missiles into the Gulf of Aden. Both missiles struck MV Verbena, a Palauan-flagged, Ukrainian-owned, Polish-operated bulk cargo carrier en route to Italy carrying wood construction material. The missile attacks resulted in fires on board, severally injuring one civilian sailor.

The crew of MV Verbena extinguished the fire and resumed their transit in the Gulf of Aden, according to the CENTCOM. The wounded sailor was evacuated by aircraft from a nearby U.S. warship for medical treatment.

The missile attack followed a June 12 drone boat attack on MV Tutor, a Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned-and-operated bulk cargo carrier. The strike caused “severe flooding and damage” to the ship’s engine room, and left one civilian sailer missing.

After abandoning ship, MV Tutor’s crew members were rescued by U.S. and partner forces, including the guided missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea.

From November 2023 to March, 18 ships have been attacked by Houthi forces, the DIA said.

The Houthi maritime aggressions began as the Israel-Hamas war raised tensions across the region. The militant group has asserted that its attacks were in retaliation to Israel’s campaign in Gaza, but many of its victims have no affiliation with the country.

“The Houthis claim to be acting on behalf of Palestinians in Gaza and yet they are targeting and threatening the lives of third country nationals who have nothing to do with the conflict in Gaza,” the CENTCOM said, condemning the group’s “malign and reckless behavior.”

“The ongoing threat to international commerce caused by the Houthis in fact makes it harder to deliver badly needed assistance to the people of Yemen as well as Gaza,” the command added. “The United States will continue to act with partners to hold the Houthis accountable and degrade their military capabilities.”