Washington, D.C. - In a continued effort to counter the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, United States fighter jets carried out airstrikes on Friday, targeting anti-ship missile launchers in Yemen. These strikes, which took place near the western city of Hodieda, were confirmed by two anonymous U.S. officials familiar with the ongoing military operations.

According to the officials, the attacks were conducted by F/A-18 aircraft deployed from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier. The recent airstrikes closely resemble previous assaults on Houthi launchers that have been occurring almost daily throughout the week.

President Joe Biden acknowledged on Thursday that despite the massive array of strikes by U.S. and British forces on January 12, the bombardment of Houthi sites has so far failed to cease the militants' attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, which have caused disruptions in global shipping.

The Houthi-run satellite news channel, Al-Masirah, reported air raids in the al-Jabaana neighborhood of Hodieda on Friday. However, there is currently no immediate confirmation regarding the exact location of the U.S. strikes.

Over the past few days, U.S. warships and aircraft have consistently intercepted Houthi missiles that were poised for launch, highlighting the military's increasing ability to monitor, detect, and strike militant activities in Yemen. Despite these efforts, the Houthi rebel attacks on ships in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have continued unabated.

As part of its strategy, the Biden administration recently designated the Houthis as global terrorists, imposing sanctions to disrupt their financing while ensuring that crucial humanitarian aid can still reach the impoverished population of Yemen.

The Houthi rebels have been targeting ships in the Red Sea, claiming that they are either linked to Israel or heading towards Israeli ports. They argue that their attacks are aimed at ending Israel's air-and-ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, which was sparked by a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7. However, the connection between the rebel assaults and the ships targeted has become increasingly tenuous as the attacks persist.

Efforts to mitigate the conflict and safeguard maritime security in the region remain ongoing, with the United States demonstrating its commitment to protecting international shipping lanes from Houthi aggression in Yemen.