JERUSALEM —U.S. forces conducted strikes on 15 Houthi targets in Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen at approximately 5p.m. on Friday, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.
These targets included Houthi offensive military capabilities. "These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels," according to the Central Command.
On Monday the Pentagon announced it was sending a “few thousand” additional troops to the Middle East to bolster security and to defend Israel if necessary.
The additional forces would raise the total number of troops in the region to as many as 43,000.