US strikes 15 Houthi targets in Yemen, military says

The United States on Friday struck 15 targets controlled by Houthi rebels in Yemen, the military said.

Four provinces were attacked, reported the Al Masirah television channel, run by the Iranian-backed rebels.

The United States and Britain have carried out repeated strikes aimed at curbing the Houthis’ ability to attack shipping, but rebel attacks on merchant ships transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have persisted.

“The Army’s Central Command (CENTCOM) today carried out airstrikes against 15 Houthi targets in areas of Yemen controlled by the Iranian-backed group,” the army command responsible for operations in the Middle East said on social media.

“These targets included Houthi offensive military capabilities,” CENTCOM said, adding that the strikes were carried out “to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels.”

At least one attack hit Dhamar, south of the capital, and Mukayras, southeast of Sanaa, Al Masirah said.

The Houthis have been attacking ships since last November, claiming the attacks, which have disrupted maritime traffic in a globally important waterway, target vessels linked to Israel and are launched in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza war.

Israel has also attacked Yemen in response to Houthi attacks.

In August, Israeli strikes on Hodeida killed at least five people after rebels said they targeted Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport with a missile.

The Houthis are part of Iran’s “axis of resistance” against Israel and the United States.