(Previous Incident Code: YEM249 )

The US launched cruise missile strikes at three rebel targets in Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen early morning on October 12th  following failed missile attacks on a US Navy ship. There are currently no known reports of civilian harm – and it is also unknown how many combatants died.

A Pentagon press release published the same day reported that the strikes targeted radar sites involved in the recent missile launches and initial assessments showed that the sites had been destroyed.

Unnamed US officials told Reuters that the US Navy destroyer USS Nitze launched the Tomahawk cruise missiles around 4am local time and said that the radars were located in Ras Isa, north of Mukha and near Khoka.

Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said the strikes were authorised by President Obama at the recommendation of Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Joseph Dunford.

Although they represent the first time the US has directly targeted Houthi rebels in Yemen, the Pentagon stressed the limited nature of the strikes. Cook stated: “These limited self-defence strikes were conducted to protect our personnel, our ships, and our freedom of navigation.”

Two missiles were fired at the USS Mason and the USS Ponce, an amphibious staging base, on Sunday but did not hit their targets. At least one other missile was fired at the Mason on Wednesday.

The Houthis denied Sunday’s attack but Pentagon spokesperson Navy Captain Jeff Davis said on Tuesday that “the facts certainly point” to Houthi responsibility.