Washington, D.C. - U.S. forces carried out another strike on Thursday against Iranian-backed Houthi rebel military sites in Yemen. This marks the fifth strike as part of ongoing efforts to halt the militants' attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, which have been causing disruptions in global shipping.

The recent strikes successfully destroyed two Houthi anti-ship missiles that were poised for launch in the southern Red Sea region. The operation was executed by Navy F/A-18 fighter aircraft under the command of U.S. Central Command.

President Joe Biden affirmed that the strikes would continue, despite their limited success in deterring the Houthis from targeting commercial and military ships.

Addressing reporters before leaving for a domestic-policy speech in North Carolina, Biden stated, "While the strikes have not yet halted the Houthis, we will persist in our efforts."

Shortly after Biden's comments, Houthi Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree announced in a prerecorded statement that their forces had launched another missile attack, this time on the Marshall Islands-flagged cargo ship named Chem Ranger. The attack occurred in the Gulf of Aden, just south of Yemen.

Earlier in the evening, the British military issued a warning about a potential new attack on ships located approximately 100 miles off the coast of Yemen, also in the Gulf of Aden. While the Pentagon has not yet confirmed these fresh attacks, they remain cautious and anticipate further Houthi aggression.

The ongoing harassment of ships has prompted the U.S. and its international partners to take extraordinary measures to protect them. Under a joint mission called Operation Prosperity Guardian, a consortium has been established to create a defensive umbrella for vessels by intercepting any missiles or drones targeting them. Additionally, both U.S. and British militaries have taken action to neutralize Houthi missile sites, radar systems, and air-defense capabilities, in an effort to curtail the rebels' ability to carry out attacks.

Despite the challenges, the resolve to safeguard shipping lanes remains unwavering. The U.S. and its allies are committed to maintaining stability and protecting vital maritime trade routes in the region.

U.S. Military Continues Strikes Against Houthi-Controlled Sites

On Wednesday, the U.S. military executed a new wave of missile strikes against 14 sites under Houthi control. Simultaneously, the administration re-designated the Houthis as specially designated global terrorists. The objective of these sanctions is to cut off the financing of violent extremist groups while still ensuring that crucial humanitarian aid reaches the impoverished Yemeni population.

Continuous Military Operation

"These strikes will persist as long as necessary," stated National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby on Thursday, emphasizing their commitment. He further added, "I'm not going to disclose our future plans."

Even with the imposition of sanctions and military operations, including a joint effort by U.S. and British forces that targeted over 60 sites across Yemen, the Houthis persist in their aggression towards commercial and military vessels. The United States has made a stern warning to Iran, urging them to cease their supply of weapons to the Houthis.

Houthi Attacks Remain

Responding to inquiries about why the strikes did not seem to halt Houthi activities, Pentagon's deputy press secretary, Sabrina Singh, explained during a briefing, "We never expected an immediate cessation of Houthi attacks." Following the joint operation conducted by the U.S. and British forces, which initially struck 28 locations and hit over 60 targets, Houthi attacks have been on a smaller scale.

Uncertain Accountability for Ship Attacks

For months, the Houthis have taken responsibility for carrying out attacks on ships in the Red Sea, claiming that these vessels are either associated with Israel or en route to Israeli ports. They argue that these attacks are aimed at putting an end to the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, triggered by a hostile action by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7th in southern Israel. However, as the attacks persist, the connection between the targeted ships and Israel becomes increasingly vague.

These attacks have also raised concerns about the escalation of the Israel and Hamas conflict into a broader regional war.

Peaceful Aspirations

"We do not seek war, nor do we believe that we are presently engaged in one. It is our utmost desire to avoid a regional conflict," emphasized Singh.