On December 21, the US military carried out precision airstrikes targeting a missile storage facility and a command-and-control center operated by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. The strikes aimed to disrupt Houthi operations, including attacks on US Navy ships and commercial vessels in the Southern Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and Gulf of Aden.

Additionally, the US military reported striking Houthi drones and an anti-ship cruise missile over the Red Sea. These actions followed a Houthi missile attack on Israel that hit Tel Aviv, injuring 15 people, and a December 19 Houthi drone attack on “Israeli military targets.” The Houthis claim their ongoing attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The escalation coincides with Israel’s strikes on Yemeni ports and energy infrastructure in Houthi-controlled regions.