WASHINGTON, January 16. /TASS/. US forces have struck Yemeni areas controlled by the rebel group Ansar Allah, or the Houthis, to destroy four of their anti-ship ballistic missiles, Reuters reported, citing US officials.

The Pentagon has not confirmed this report to TASS as yet.

Following the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in the Gaza Strip, the Yemen-based Houthis said they would strike Israeli territory and prevent ships affiliated with that country from passing through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait until the operation in the Palestinian enclave ended. According to the US Central Command, the Houthis have attacked more than 20 civilian ships in the Red Sea since mid-November.

Overnight into January 12, US and UK aircraft, naval ships and submarines struck Houthis sites in some Yemeni cities. US President Joe Biden said the strikes were defensive and represented a response to Houthis attacks in the Red Sea. The targets included the Houthis sites for launching missiles and drones, along with locations of radar stations.