US Military Strikes Houthi Missile Sites in Yemen

The United States military launched airstrikes against 14 Houthi missiles in Yemen on Wednesday, claiming they posed an "imminent threat" to maritime traffic in the Red Sea.

The strikes, which took place around 11:59 pm local time on January 17, were carried out from the Red Sea and targeted missiles that were "loaded and ready to be fired," according to US Central Command (CENTCOM).

CENTCOM said the missiles posed a threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region and could have been launched at any time. The strikes were intended to "degrade the Houthi's capabilities to continue their reckless attacks on international and commercial shipping," CENTCOM said in a statement.

The airstrikes came on the same day that the US State Department designated the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). The designation, which was announced by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, freezes any US assets held by the Houthis and prohibits US citizens from engaging in transactions with them.

The Houthis, a Zaidi Shia militia group, have been fighting a war against the Yemeni government since 2014. The conflict has been deadlocked for years, with both sides accused of committing human rights abuses.

The US has supported the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis since 2015. However, the Biden administration has been reviewing its support for the coalition, amid concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

The designation of the Houthis as a terrorist group is likely to further complicate the conflict in Yemen. The Houthis have condemned the designation, calling it a "declaration of war."

It is unclear what impact the designation will have on the Houthis' ability to wage war. However, it is likely to make it more difficult for the group to receive financial support and weapons.

The designation could also make it more difficult for the US to engage with the Houthis in peace talks. The Houthis have said they will not negotiate with the US as long as they are designated as a terrorist group.

The conflict in Yemen has caused a major humanitarian crisis. The United Nations estimates that 24 million people, or 80% of the population, need humanitarian assistance. The country is also facing a famine.

The US and other countries have called for a ceasefire in Yemen to allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid. However, the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition have not been able to agree on a ceasefire.

The designation of the Houthis as a terrorist group is likely to make it more difficult to end the conflict in Yemen. It is unclear how the US and other countries will be able to pressure the Houthis to negotiate a peace deal.