The missile was prepared to be launched from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen towards the Red Sea and presented an ‘imminent threat’ to US aircraft in the Red Sea, according to the US Central Command.
It added that one anti-ship ballistic missile was launched by the Houthis, but there was “no impact or damage to any vessels.”
“On March 1, at approximately 12:40 pm (Sanaa time), U.S.Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted a self-defense strike against one Iranian-backed Houthi surface-to-air missile that was prepared to launch from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen towards the Red Sea. CENTCOM forces identified the missile and determined it presented an imminent threat to U.S. aircraft in the region,” US Central Command posted on X.
“At 10:46 pm (Sanaa time), the Houthis launched one anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) from Yemen into the Red Sea. There was no impact or damage to any vessels,” it added.
Amid escalating tensions in the region, Houthi fighters have conducted attacks on both commercial and military vessels since November.
Initially targeting ships linked to Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, the Houthis later expanded their scope to include vessels associated with the United Kingdom and the United States.
Recently, US Central Command announced that US aircraft and a coalition warship intercepted and destroyed five Iranian-backed Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the Red Sea.
Last month, US forces, in collaboration with the United Kingdom Armed Forces and several other nations, launched strikes against 18 Houthi targets in areas controlled by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen.
The objective of this multinational effort, according to US Central Command, is to safeguard their respective countries, partners, and allies in the region.
The escalating insecurity in the Red Sea has prompted major shipping lines to largely avoid the critical trade route, opting for longer journeys around Africa.
This shift has resulted in increased expenses, raising concerns about global inflation, while also depriving Egypt of vital foreign revenue generated by shippers using the Suez Canal for Red Sea transit.
( with input from agency)