ISTANBUL

The US announced Saturday that it destroyed a missile and a lunch pad belonging to the Houthis in Yemen.

“In the past 24 hours US Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed an Iranian-backed Houthi missile and launcher in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen,” CENTCOM wrote on X.

Noting that the weapons were deemed an “imminent threat to the US and coalition forces,” as well as merchant vessels in the region, it added that the actions were to safeguard freedom of navigation and enhance the safety and security of international waters.

The Houthis have been targeting Israeli-linked cargo ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which has been under an Israeli onslaught since Oct. 7.

The Red Sea is one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced earlier this year a multinational mission -- Operation Prosperity Guardian -- to counter Houthi attacks.