Houthi rebels in Yemen have, for the first time, launched surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) at U.S. military aircraft.
On February 19, an American F-16 fighter jet was targeted while flying over the Red Sea near Yemen’s coastline but the missile did not make contact. Additionally, a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone was fired upon in a separate incident. These attacks mark a notable shift in the Houthis’ capabilities and pose increased risks to U.S. operations in the region.
According to Fox News:
Now there is a policy debate at the highest levels of the U.S. military about what is the best way to counter the Houthis, which the Trump administration has put back on the State Department’s terror list.
The debate now is whether to carry out a more traditional counterterrorism approach to the Houthis, with persistent strikes targeting the individuals planning and carrying out the ongoing attacks, or whether to take a more defensive approach and keep going after Houthi infrastructure and weapons-storage facilities.
The Houthis’ acquisition and use of SAMs, likely supplied by Iran, have raised concerns about the safety of U.S. and allied aircraft operating in the area. The U.S. military is currently assessing the situation to determine appropriate responses to this emerging threat.
These developments come amid heightened tensions in the region, with the Houthis intensifying their military activities along the Red Sea, including attacks on merchant vessels. The U.S. continues to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the need for increased vigilance to protect its assets and personnel.
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