CENTCOM strikes down Houthi anti-ship missiles, launcher

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has reported the destruction of seven Houthi anti-ship missiles and one launcher prepared for launch towards the Red Sea.

“On February 21, between 12:00 a.m. and 6:45 p.m. (Sanaa time), US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted four self-defense strikes against seven mobile Houthi Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles and one mobile Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile launcher that were prepared to launch towards the Red Sea. Additionally, during this time frame,” Caliber.Az reports, citing a CENTCOM post on social network X.

“CENTCOM forces shot down a one-way attack unmanned aircraft system (UAS) in self-defense.

CENTCOM forces identified the missiles, launchers and UAS originating from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined that they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and to the U.S. Navy ships in the region. CENTCOM forces subsequently struck and destroyed the missiles, launchers and UAS in self-defense. These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels,” the publication reads.

Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov has said that representatives of the Palestinian group Hamas and the Fatah paramilitary organisation will take part in an inter-Palestinian meeting to be held in Moscow on February 29, according to Russian media.

"Of course they will, everyone will be there: both Fatah and Hamas, yes," Bogdanov said, answering the agency's question.

The delegation from Hamas at the inter-Palestinian meeting will be headed by deputy chairman of the movement's politburo Musa Abu-Marzouk. The Fatah delegation headed by Azzam al-Ahmed, a member of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, will also attend the meeting.