US destroys Houthi missiles targeting warship, blames Iran-backed militia for Jordan attack
US says it hit another Houthi anti-ship missile aimed into the Gulf of Aden
American forces on Wednesday (Jan 31) claimed they had destroyed a missile belonging to Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels that posed an "imminent threat" to US aircraft.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it“struck and destroyed a Houthi surface-to-air missile that was prepared to launch” after determining that it “presented an imminent threat to US aircraft".
A few hours later, another anti-ship ballistic missile and Iranian drones were shot down in the Gulf of Aden, CENTCOM added. The US military added it had attacked and neutralised a drone ground control station that posed threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region.
"On Feb1at approximately 1:30 am, (Sanaa time), US Central Command forces conducted strikes against an Iranian-backed Houthi UAV ground control station and 10 Houthi one-way UAVs. read the statement.
"US forces identified the UAV ground control station and one-way attack UAVs in Houthi- controlled areas of Yemen and determined that they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the USNavy ships in the region."
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Notably, the Iran-aligned group on Wednesday released a statement saying it will continue to target US and British warships participating in “aggression” against Yemen.
Why the attacks?
The United States and British forces on January 12launched strikes in retaliation to the attacks by Houthi terrorists on Red Sea shipping vessels which are linked to Israel.
Australia also provided personnel support to the strikes, whichinvolved various Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets.
After launching strikes against Houthis, the United States and its allies said that stabilising crucial Red Sea shipping lanes remains their primary goal.
Houthisclaim that their attacks are aimed at showing solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing war between Israel and the militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Also watch |West Asia crisis: Three US soldiers killed, at least 34 injured in Jordan drone attack
Iran-backed militia responsible for Jordan attacks
Amid the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, the White House also blamed an Iran-backed militia group for the drone attack on Al-Tanf, a US military sitein Jordan, earlier this week.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said US intelligence believedthe Islamic Resistance in Iraq was responsible for the attack that killed three soldiers and injured 40.
Previously, US President Joe Biden had also blamed Iran for the strike and vowed that Washington would respond to the attack.
"We know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq," Biden said in the aftermath.
"We will carry on their commitment to fight terrorism. And have no doubt -- we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing," he added.
The three US soldiers killed have been identified asarmy reservists Sgt William Jerome Rivers, Spc Breonna Alexsondria Moffett and Spc Kennedy Sanders.
(With inputs from agencies)