President Obama formally notified Congress Friday afternoon that U.S. forces launched “limited and proportionate” missile strikes on radar facilities in Houthi -controlled territory in Yemen in response to missiles targeting a U.S. warship in the Red Sea.
Mr. Obama told congressional leaders that initial assessments show that the radar facilities were destroyed by the strikes.
“I directed these strikes in response to anti-ship cruise missile launches perpetrated by Houthi insurgents that threatened U.S. Navy warships in the international waters of the Red Sea on Oct. 9 and Oct. 12,” Mr. Obama said. “The targeted radar facilities were involved in the Oct. 9 launches and other recent attacks.”
The president said the strikes were conducted to “protect our personnel and our ships and will preserve our freedom of navigation in this important maritime passageway.”
The USS Mason was targeted by missiles from territory controlled by the Houthis — a minority Shia group that is battling for control parts of Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa. The Houthis have denied firing on the U.S. warship.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.