US destroys Houthi missile system in Yemen

WASHINGTON

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Friday its forces had destroyed one Houthi missile system in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen in the past 24 hours.

"It was determined this system presented a clear and imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region," CENTCOM said on X.

This action was taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters "safer and more secure" for US, coalition, and merchant vessels," it added.

More than 40,200 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its offensive on the Gaza Strip that began on Oct. 7, following an attack by the Palestinian group, Hamas.

While Yemen's Houthi group has been targeting Israeli-linked cargo ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in solidarity with Gaza, the onslaught has sparked increased regional tensions across the Mideast, with the latest escalation coming when Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran.

Hamas and Iran accused Israel of carrying out Haniyeh’s assassination, while Tel Aviv has not denied or confirmed its involvement.

Israel is on high alert for a potential military response from Iran and the Lebanese group Hezbollah, which vowed to retaliate following the death of its senior commander Fuad Shukr in an Israeli airstrike on a suburb of Beirut.