The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced retaliatory strikes against Houthi weapons storage facilities in Yemen, which were used by Iranian-backed Houthis to target international military and civilian vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The U.S. Air Force and Navy, including the F-35C stealth strike fighter, were used in the operation. This marked the first time the F-35C was used in combat. The operation was conducted to respond to unlawful attacks by Houthi rebels on commercial shipping vessels and degrade their ability to threaten partners in the region. U.S. Navy destroyers and Air Force and Navy aircraft were also involved in the operation, successfully defeating a range of Houthi-launched weapons.
The targeted operation in Yemen was aimed at protecting U.S. personnel, regional partners, and international shipping, while maintaining security and stability in the region. The U.S. forces engaged and defeated one-way attack uncrewed aerial systems, anti-ship ballistic missiles, and anti-ship cruise missiles, ensuring the safety of ships and personnel. No U.S. personnel were injured, and U.S. facilities were not damaged during the operation. This announcement came shortly after another operation in which CENTCOM forces conducted retaliatory strikes against Iran-associated targets in Syria in response to attacks on U.S. personnel in the region.
The strikes in Syria on Monday targeted nine locations associated with Iranian groups, aimed at degrading their ability to plan and launch future attacks on U.S. and coalition forces present in the region. This action was part of ongoing efforts by U.S. forces to protect personnel, partners, and international shipping in the region. The retaliatory strikes in both Yemen and Syria were conducted to respond to attacks on U.S. forces and to deter future threats by Iranian-backed groups. The successful operation demonstrated the capability of U.S. Air Force and Navy assets in defeating Houthi-launched weapons and ensuring the safety of ships transiting the region.
The use of the F-35C stealth strike fighter in combat marked a significant milestone in the U.S. military’s operations against threats in the region. The advanced capabilities of the F-35C, along with other U.S. military assets, played a crucial role in degrading the Houthi rebels’ ability to target international shipping and threaten regional stability. The retaliatory strikes demonstrated the U.S.’s commitment to protecting its personnel and partners, while deterring hostile actions by Iranian-backed groups. The U.S. military’s swift and effective response to threats in Yemen and Syria underscored its readiness and capability to respond to challenges in the region.
CENTCOM’s announcement of the retaliatory strikes highlighted the importance of maintaining security and stability in the region and protecting international shipping routes from threats posed by Houthi rebels and Iranian-backed groups. The U.S. military’s operations in Yemen and Syria aimed to safeguard U.S. personnel, regional partners, and international interests from hostile actions by groups seeking to destabilize the region. The successful engagement and defeat of enemy threats in both operations underscored the importance of U.S. military presence in the region to counter emerging threats and maintain a safe and secure environment for all stakeholders.
