Bab el-Mandeb straits and the Red Sea. (Photo: Below The Sky/Shutterstock)
US Central Command announced yesterday (Thursday) that it downed eight drones and struck thirteen Houthi sites.
CENTCOM said that it had determined that these UAVs and sites presented a threat to U.S. and coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region. These actions are necessary to protect our forces, ensure freedom of navigation, and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels" and that the actions were all taken in "self-defense."
Houthi rebels reported at least 16 killed and 35 wounded from the air strikes, according to AP.