US military bombs Houthi command centres in Sanaa after Red Sea threats VIDEO

The United States military has carried out air strikes against targets linked to the Houthi rebels in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.

The strikes, conducted on December 21, targeted a missile storage facility and a "command-and-control" site in a bid to "disrupt and degrade Houthi operations," according to US Central Command (CENTCOM), Caliber.Az reports, citing Arab media.

CENTCOM Conducts Airstrikes Against Iran-Backed Houthi Missile Storage and Command/Control Facilities in Yemen

TAMPA, Fla. - U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted precision airstrikes against a missile storage facility and a command-and-control facility operated by… pic.twitter.com/YRWWQJIweP

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 21, 2024

The Houthis, an Iran-allied group, have been increasingly active in the region, launching several attacks on US Navy and merchant vessels in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and the Gulf of Aden. CENTCOM emphasized that these actions posed a direct threat to regional stability and international shipping lanes.

This latest round of US air strikes comes amid a surge in hostilities between the Houthis and Israel. On December 19, Israel conducted bombings in Yemen, targeting power stations near Sanaa in retaliation for a missile launched by the Houthis towards Tel Aviv. The Israeli bombardment, which killed at least nine people, followed the missile attack from the Houthis, who have vowed to intensify their strikes against Israel in solidarity with Palestinians amidst the ongoing war in Gaza.

In a related development, early on December 21, the Houthis launched another ballistic missile aimed at central Israel. The Israeli military reported a failure to intercept the missile, which landed in the Tel Aviv-Jaffa area, injuring 16 people, though the injuries were described as "mild."

The Houthi attacks on Israel, alongside their ongoing operations targeting shipping lanes in the Red Sea, form part of a broader strategy to pressure Israel and its US ally to end the military offensive in Gaza, where more than 45,000 Palestinians have been killed in the fighting. The Houthis have positioned themselves as strong supporters of the Palestinian cause, intensifying their military actions as part of their broader campaign.

In response to the growing threats, the US and the UK have been conducting air strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen, with a focus on neutralizing their ability to target international shipping and military assets.

The Biden administration has also implemented economic sanctions, targeting Houthi leaders and affiliates, including the governor of the central bank in Sanaa, accusing them of aiding the group's acquisition of weapons components and dual-use technology.

 By Khagan Isayev