United States Central Command (CENTCOM) says that America has conducted a series of airstrikes in Yemen, shooting down multiple Houthi drones. President Joe Biden had instructed supplemental measures to combat and hold back Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and affiliated militias responsible for their attacks on US and Coalition Forces.
“These will unfold at times and places of our choosing. We do not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else, but the President and I will not tolerate attacks on American forces,” said US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
USS Carney (DDG 64) engaged and shot down one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over the Gulf of Aden on Friday. The CENTCOM Red Sea Operational Update stated that no injuries or damage was reported.
Later on that Friday, US forces discovered UAVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and decided that they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the U.S. Navy ships in the region. CENTCOM conducted airstrikes against the four Houthi UAVs, which were being prepared to launch, destroying them in self-defense.
Next, USS Laboon (DDG 58) and F/A-18s belonging to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group intercepted and destroyed seven UAVs above the Red Sea. Again, no injuries or damage reported.
The goal of these military actions is to protect the freedom of navigation and provide safety and security of international waters for both US Navy vessels and merchant ships
“We will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our forces, and our interests,” said Austin.
