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US Missiles Destroy Radar Sites on Yemen Coast

CBN

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American officials say the U.S. has destroyed three radar sites off the coast of Yemen early Thursday.

The strikes follow two incidents this week in which missiles were fired at U.S. Navy ships.

The U.S. previously provided logistical support and refueling to the Saudi-led coalition in this long-running civil war against Yemen's Shiite rebels, known as Houthis. 

With the U.S military focused on al Qaeda in Yemen, the Houthis have not been a primary target of American forces until recently when the Houthis launched missiles at U.S. naval vessels. 

President Barack Obama authorized the launch of Tomahawk cruise missiles 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 U.S. officials carefully weighed how the military should respond. 

"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 in a statement. "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."

Officials have not provided information on the casualties.
 

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