Following the US’s fifth round of strikes against targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, President Joe Biden has vowed to continue the strikes despite acknowledging that they have not succeeded in stopping attacks on commercial shipping by the rebel group. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that they destroyed two anti-ship missiles they deemed as an imminent threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region.
Biden admitted that the strikes have not deterred the Houthis from attacking international shipping in the Red Sea and stated that they will continue. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh emphasized that the decision to stop the attacks lies with the Houthis and that the US actions are in self-defense, not as part of a war. The Houthis, in turn, claimed to have carried out a missile attack on a US ship, but CENTCOM stated that the missiles missed their target.
The Iran-backed Houthis have been carrying out attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea to show support for Palestinians under Israeli bombardment in Gaza, resulting in disruptions to global trade. In response, the US and its partners launched Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect commercial vessels from drone and missile attacks in the waterway.