The US military has taken decisive action against Yemen's Ansar Allah rebels, carrying out a series of strikes against their missile and drone sites. US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that four Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles and one Houthi drone were destroyed in Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen between 15:35 and 16:55 local time on Thursday. The action, described as a self-defense measure, also included the downing of three unmanned aerial vehicles heading towards the Gulf of Aden.

These measures were a response to threats from the Ansar Allah movement, which, amid the worsening situation in the Gaza Strip, warned of possible attacks on Israel and a ban on the passage of ships associated with Israel through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Since early November last year, the Houthis have attacked dozens of civilian ships in these maritime zones.

In response to the aggressive actions of Ansar Allah, the United States announced the creation of an international coalition and preparations for Operation Guardian of Prosperity.