The United States Central Command (Centcom), one of eleven unified combatant commands of the US Department of Defense, responsible for the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of South Asia, carried out airstrikes against Iranian-backed Houthi targets in Yemen and targets in Syria in response to two attacks against the US personnel.
Both Air Force and Navy assets, including F-35C fighter aircraft, were pressed into service for the attacks in response to Houthi attacks on commercial, US and coalition vessels in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait and Gulf of Aden.
Pentagon press secretary Air Force Major General Pat Ryder said on Saturday and Sunday Centcom forces executed airstrikes against multiple Houthi weapons storage facilities within Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
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According to him, these facilities housed advanced conventional weapons used by the militant group to target US and international military and civilian vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
He said the US will "continue to make clear to the Houthis that there will be consequences for their illegal and reckless attacks."
Ryder said Centcom also conducted strikes against nine targets in two locations associated with Iranian groups in Syria.
These strikes are expected to reduce the ability of Iranian-backed groups to plan and launch further attacks on US and coalition forces who are in the region. The US has about 900 personnel in Syria to assist partnered forces in conducting missions against Islamic State militants.
"Our message is clear. Attacks against US and coalition partners in the region will not be tolerated. We will continue to take every step necessary to protect our personnel and coalition partners and respond to reckless attacks," Centcom commander Army General Michael Erik Kurilla said.
