After the failed missile attack attempts on a US Navy destroyer, the Pentagon has responded by launching cruise missile strikes on three coastal radar sites in Yemen controlled by Iran-aligned Houthi forces.
BBC reports that the attack which took place on Thursday was authorised by President Obama and was carried out using Tomahawk cruise missiles fired from the destroyer USS Nitze.
“These limited self-defence strikes were conducted to protect our personnel, our ships, and our freedom of navigation,” Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said.
“The United States will respond to any further threat to our ships and commercial traffic, as appropriate.”
The failed missile attacks on the USS Mason – the latest of which took place on Wednesday – appeared to be part of the reaction to a suspected Saudi-led strike on mourners gathered in Yemen’s Houthi-held capital Sanaa. The Pentagon said the ship took defensive action and suffered no damage.
At the time, a Houthi spokesman told the Saba news agency that it had not targeted any warships.
