Iran-back Islamic terrorists hiding out in Yemen were taught a costly lesson by the U.S. Navy on Thursday — mess with us, and we’ll show you what real firepower looks like.
U.S.-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles destroyed three coastal radar sites in Houthi-controlled territory on Yemen’s Red Sea Coast early Thursday, officials said, a retaliatory smack down that followed two attacks by the rebels this week in which missiles were fired at U.S. Navy ships.
The strikes marked the first shots fired by the U.S. in anger against the Iranian-funded Houthis in Yemen’s long-running civil war. The U.S. previously only provided logistical support and refueling to the Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen’s Shiite rebels known as Houthis and their allies, including supporters of Yemen’s former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh.
While the U.S. military has been focused on Al-Qaeda in Yemen, the Houthis had not been a primary target of American forces until the missile launches from Houthi-controlled territory this week.
No information on casualties from the U.S. missiles was provided by American officials. The three radar sites were in remote areas, where there was little risk of civilian casualties or collateral damage, said a military official who was not authorized to be named and spoke on condition of anonymity.
The destroyer USS Nitze launched the cruise missiles, the official said.
The strikes were authoritized at the recommendation of Defense Secretary Ash Carter and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph Dunford, Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said in a statement. U.S. officials had said earlier that the U.S. was weighing what military response to take.
“These limited self-defense strikes were conducted to protect our personnel, our ships and our freedom of navigation in this important maritime passageway,” Cook said following the U.S. action. “The United States will respond to any further threat to our ships and commercial traffic, as appropriate, and will continue to maintain our freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandeb and elsewhere around the world.”
Meanwhile, the state news agency Saba— under Houthis’ control— quoted an unnamed military official as saying that U.S. accusations that a U.S. Navy destroyer had come under attack from areas under control of Houthis were false. He said, “all these claims are totally untrue and that the popular committees (Houthi militias) have nothing to do with such action.”
He added, “such claims are part of the general context of creating false justifications to escalate assaults and cover up the continuous crimes committed by the aggression against the Yemeni people, along with the blockade imposed on it, and after the increasing condemnations to such barbaric and hideous crimes against Yemenis.”
Guess they learned their lesson?
Early Wednesday, two missiles were fired at the USS Mason, an Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyer that is conducting routine operations in the region with the USS Ponce, an amphibious warship. Neither missile got near the ship, said a U.S. military official.
The missiles were fired from the Yemen coast, near the location used Sunday when two missiles were launched at the same two ships, said the official, who was not authorized to be named and spoke on condition of anonymity.
A second official said it wasn’t clear whether the ship’s countermeasures caused the missiles to hit the water on Wednesday or if they would have landed there anyway. The official also spoke on condition of anonymity.
“These unjustified attacks are serious, but they will not deter us from our mission,” the chief of naval operations, Adm. John Richardson, said in a statement Wednesday. “The team in USS Mason demonstrated initiative and toughness as they defended themselves and others against these unfounded attacks over the weekend and again today. All Americans should be proud of them.”
Col. Walid Zeyad, a top naval official in Hodeida, told the AP that radars were in three different sites: Ras Eissa and Khoukha (both in Hodeida) and al-Makha port, of the western province of Taiz. He said that they were hit early morning around 7 a.m.
The area is a hub of weapons smuggling. The general impression in Yemen was that since the Saudi imposition of a blockade, and the air campaign, all radars were destroyed. When asked Zeyad if these radars are new, he declined to comment.
The missiles fired on Sunday were variants of the so-called Silkworm missile, and both also fell harmlessly into the water. The Silkworm is a type of coastal defense cruise missile that Iran uses.
Accordingly, the U.S. missile retaliation could affect relations with Iran, which says it backs the Yemeni rebels but denies arming them. That’s contradicted by the U.S. Navy, which says it has intercepted several shipping boats since the war began carrying Iranian weaponry suspected to be on the way to Yemen.
There was no immediate reaction to the U.S. launch Thursday morning in Iran, which was marking the Shiite commemoration of Ashoura. Houthi-linked media also did not report the strike.
The missile fire by the Houthi raises questions about maritime safety in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which serves as a gateway for oil tankers headed to Europe through the Suez Canal. The U.S. moved more naval ships near the strait after an Emirati-leased Swift boat came under rocket fire near the same area and sustained serious damage. The United Arab Emirates described the vessel as carrying humanitarian aid and having a crew of civilians, while the Houthis called the boat a warship.
Analysts with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy called the Houthi missile fire “a surprisingly aggressive move,” but stressed there were limits to Iran’s control of the rebels.
“Houthi relations with the Islamic Republic resemble the Iran-Hamas relationship more than the Iran-Hezbollah relationship — that is, the Houthis are autonomous partners who usually act in accordance with their own interests, though often with smuggled Iranian arms and other indirect help,” the analysts wrote in a report released early Thursday.
James Clooney says
Big deal—why didn’t the Navy deal a knockout blow to their ability to launch additional missiles—Iran will just replace these radar sites with more equipment built or purchased by the money we gave them
Chuck Parsons says
Sorry we did not give them any MONEY. obama and his administration gave Iran money illegally. We are Americans and would not knowingly give our ENEMY money to use against us or our allies as obama has done and knew this would happen.
Kevin says
Here’s the thing, what Donald Trump is president, everybody will be Pam do United States money! This is one of many reasons why we need Donald Trump for president! Voting for Hillary Clinton Clinton for president, will be spending more money lots and lots and lots and lots more money! Hillary Clinton would do shit for our security as well as anything else that she said she was going to do! Get your head straight people! Donald Trump will build up our military hi Al I will be paying the United States
Derrick says
@Kevin…What the hell are you attempting to say? first you the US did not give money then you say the US did give money….wtf! kinda confused are you?
sandy jackson says
OBAMA GAVE THE MONEY TO IRAN, 400 MILLION DOLLARS , THAT WAS NOT HIS TO GIVE
Denny says
Sandy you need to chekk $$$ amount FYI: it was/is closer to 2 BILLION $$$!!! GOOOOOOGLE the amt$$$$!
sandy jackson says
OBAMA GAVE THE MONEY TO IRAN, 400 MILLION DOLLARS , THAT WAS NOT HIS TO GIVE
M goodin says
You got that right. And yet, we still want to put an Obama collaborator again in the White House. Namely Hillary Clinton. Stop the madness and elect Trump!
M goodin says
Wanna bet. Yes the US gave the money to Iran but one can bet that others have gotten their hands dirty just as well.
Mark Plenn says
Obama the worst traitor since B. Arnold.
Denny says
Chuckee Boy, yaaaaasssssarataffaatcat, WE /USA /Jon BOY Kerry/n’Obozzo DID POSITIVELY Deliver ALMOST 2 BILLION $$$ (in GREEN CASH) NO CHECKS neither!!! N’thass not no shytt either DIKK TRACY says!!! (PUHLEEEEEZE do yur homework – – – GOOOOOOOGLE IT) !!!
cuning says
The Obama Ad is always worried about casualties, forget casualties they are all collaborators.
Francisco Machado says
Mobile launchers can be a little hard to pinpoint quickly enough for them still to be at the launch site, which may well be in heavily populated regions – for propaganda reasons. Taken individually, they aren’t high value targets. They obviously have no regard at all for civilian casualties and are just as likely to launch from a school playground.
disaksen says
The radar facilities were/are the more important targets. They can allow for more accurate attacks by pinpointing the locations of the ships (targets) the missiles/rockets are fired at. Even with the radar facilities working, the rockets were not very effective. With more accurate targeting capabilities, a more sophisticated missile could cause much more concern with the radar stations still operable.
Timothy Thompson says
They certainly have the money to replace all the IUD’s and radar installations thanks to our boy President Obama. They have billions of US Cash in their poseession thanks to our Muslim President, he’s definately a traitor to our country and we only have a couple of months left of his disastrous lead from behind administration. We’ll need to fumigate the White House if Trump wins, but if Hillary wins she’ll more than likely will wallow in his dirt.
Dot says
Way to tell it like it is especially the White House I could never live in it even if it was fumigated!! Bad karma and smells to boot!!!!!!
Buzz says
A mere slap on the wrist. Just something to BLOW up in the News for Obummer. Why not get SERIOUS.
John G. says
It’s about time we responded with something other than hot air which is all O’bozo the “Big Eared” Clown about.
Mike Q says
Who do you think authorized this action against the radar sites?
Justin W says
I’m glad the Navy destroyed these radar installations. They should find the Houthi’s weapons caches and destroy them.
Shiree says
You know who is holding them back don’t you? Obama You know that he want let them do their jobs and blow there shit away. Obama is a chicken shit and loves his brotherhood.
Carolyn says
Yes, it is about time that the United States answered those hate filled people with a taste of our brand of medicine…..I applaud our Navy for their response to these criminals and their actions…..Gooo Navy……….
Chris says
We should continue to bomb Yemen and Iran and wipe them off the map.that’s my opinion and I don’t give two shit if anybody disagree with me.Vote for Trump and make America great and powerful!!!!!!
Jeanette Badger says
Yes, and it would not be to soon, those Countries are trying to destroy us. So they should wipe them right of the map!! Problem solved, then get the ones in the United States!! Get Obummer hanged and his boy girl friend to!! And all the traiters out of Washington!! Trump our new President, and Our Country back !!!
Bill D. says
YES! YES! YES!
John Randall says
We keep worrying about thr citizens, Do you think they worry about ours, As far as i am concerned if thr citizens are among them they are our enemies to.You cant worry about citizens till the battle is over. They all dress alike so how do you tell the difference ? They are winning because they take prisoners only to torture and kill, We take prisoners and they get the best care possible, We cant afford to take prisoners, Our enemies cant wait to be captured. Thats how big of fools we have running this government. They dont call us the sleeping giant anymore, They call us the sleeping cowards, And all these little countries have thr weapons pointed at us. When this fool leader of ours turn enemy combatants loose from our state of the art prisons they give them a voucher to come back an vote in our presidecial election as long as they vote democrat of course.
M goodin says
Put Obama’s name on one of the missiles. Because come November 8, TRUMP will reign supreme. He will build the military up and take care of “them” over there. All Clinton wants to do is get the US in war and deplete the surplus population. Tell Chelsea go join the military and see if your mom will start anything shit.
Send Obama and the Clinton families as well as Congress to war. Let’s see how fast we bring home our military!
cbanalyst says
People are questioning the Obama “treaty” wherein he gave them billions in exchange for what? Now, it seems they are harassing our ships and hoping that our ships will destroy one in retaliation. This then will allow the Iranians to say we broke the agreement and therefore they do no longer have to comply with their promises.
Jeanette Badger says
Thats what Obummer gives them money for to attack the Americans!!!! They get paid to kill as many as they can!!! We need to wipe them out first!!!
Sailboatbum says
ITS ABOUT TIME! We should always shoot back ASAP. The object when going to was is to win. Keep the dam politican’s out of the decision making after they condone the act of war or send out troops in harms way. It should be up to our military who do the fighting to make the decision to do what is needed to win, and save the lives of our military personal.
Eric Bischoff says
Want to save our military personnel, bring them home. Leave the Middle East now before it turns into a nuclear WWIII. We have no business there at all. What right do we have to have our navy threatening them on their own coast?
C. Cash says
We have every right. These blood thirsty terriosts are firing missles at our ships without reason. The only thing we should have done differently would have been to blow them away the first time they fired on our ships. We should have retaliated when the Iranians captured our sailors and humiliated them, also! As an infantry soldier we returned fire after being fired on or harassed the FIRST TIME! Make them pay! John Kerry thanked them for taking good care of our sailors! By the way, the Purple Heart he was given in Vietnam Nam should be given back. The shrapnel from his own M79 should not warrant a Purple Heart!
Bama Bill says
The “Officials” better keep their mouths SHUT! Telling the name of the ship puts a bullseye on it! Telling if counter measures were used just lets them know more about our defenses. The “Big Eared Clown” has killed enough people by telling when, where, and how many! All the top brass are ones that have said they will “Fire on civilians” if he orders them to. The “Real” officers have been retired or fired. When we have to go to the “Graveyards” for aircraft parts, you know we are “Screwed”! Nothing against women, but I would not want them on a warship with me. I want to keep my mind on my mission! No distractions for me. Sailors need to be “Big and Strong”, not a place for anyone that isn’t. You have to be able to do any duty, when there are only five sailors left on their feet, we all had to do everything, steer, navigate, communicate, run the boilers and engines, and the medics duties. That was the situation on the third day in a hurricane. With NO SLEEP!
M goodin says
Hey, that’s our wonderful media that screams First Amendment rights but they are not the ones getting their butts shot off. Tell the news media as Schwarzkoff did during the invasion of Kuwait “GTFO MF, I’ll tell you what you need to know and not one more thing.” Where is a true hero when we need them? It sure isn’t Clinton! Goooooo NAVY! Praying for ya’ll’s
Safe return for everyone.
Eric Bischoff says
Another unprovoked, unconstitutional and illegal war not approved by congress. Why are we using the Saudis as a proxy to fight yet another war. Why are we selling billions of of weaponry to the Saudis which they then use on Yemen. Yemen did not attack anybody. They are the poorest country in the area and now the richest country and real sponsor of terrorism, Saudi Arabia has been bombing them and killing civilians. We know what the underlying reasons are for Lybia and Syria which are about oil and pipelines but what is it about Yemen that we want? What the hell are we doing there? When are we going to get our act together and bring our troops home? When will we mind our business? When will we stop being mad empire builders and a brutal police state? This is not going to end well. The Yemenis already think it’s us attacking them when the Saudis are using American made Bombs and airplanes.
Joanne says
Remove Obama and his ilk out of the equation and let our AMERICAN MILITARY KICK THEIR A$$ES. TOO MANY COWARDS AND PC PEOPLE IN WASHINGTON WHO DON’T KNOW WHAT IN THE HELL THEY’RE DOING.
TRUMP/PENCE IN 2016.
MAY GOD HEAL OUR NATION.
john c slingerland says
can not believe
the nuslim in charge would allow our navy to fire back way to go navy.
Farquard says
A minimal response, conveniently carried out just before the election to show the electorate that Obama and the Dems are staunchly protecting us and deserve to be kept in office a la Hillary. We don’t even know if missiles were truly fired at our warships (remember the phony Tonkin Gulf incident which drew us into the Viet Nam conflict). This could be a similar set-up to initiate a “hot” war which could assure a Clinton victory (change in administration is unlikely in a crisis). This may be sleazy politics at its best! With any Clinton involvement, the “sleaze factor” can never be discounted.
Gautam says
If Islam is not destroyed, then, Islamic terrorism will destroy the world. Let the Shias and the Sunnis fight amongst themselves. Europe is making a big mistake by giving refuge to the Muslims fleeing the Arabian countries. Muslims will overrun entire Europe in less than a decade.
Frank says
Obama didn’t send them 400 million dollars did he?
Derrick says
No Obama did NOT send them 400 million in cash…………..Obama sent them 1.7 BILLION IN CASH! Enough to wage war on the USA.
sandy jackson says
HE SENT THEM MONEY SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY WILL DO US HARM AND OBAMA DOESNT CARE , HE WILL PROTECT HIS MUSLIM BROTHERS ,HE SAID SO IN A VIDEO I SAW.
sandy jackson says
HE SENT THEM MONEY SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY WILL DO US HARM AND OBAMA DOESNT CARE , HE WILL PROTECT HIS MUSLIM BROTHERS ,HE SAID SO IN A VIDEO I SAW.
g gardner says
It may soon come to the point where the only good Muslum is a dead Muslum, at the present time they are being given the benefit of doubt. They are the only ones that can root out the radial elements of their religion. Time is running short, they should be given a time limit.
DR JOHN says
TRUMP WOULD HAVE DONE THIS LONG AGO…AND WE WOULDNT HAVE BEEN IN THAT POSITION EITHER
Ski says
FarQuard: – It is better not to talk about things of which you know nothing ! It makes you look like an idiot. I was on duty and personally received the FLASH messages from The Maddox And Turner Joy (American Navy Ships in the Gulf of Tonkin in case you don’t know the names). They were being attacked by two enemy torpedo boats from the port side and one from starboard. They sought authorization to repel the attackers, of which I immediately requested from Washington. The authorization was given within minutes and forwarded to the ships. The results were one boat sunk, one disabled – dead in the water and the other retreated. Try not to corraborate those “experts” who only saw war in the movies.
jose says
This is going to be a non ending battle. The army will bomb Isis and then Hell-lary will keep funding isis them more bombs against isis and Hell-lary will fund them more and the circle will continue