Category: US CENTCOM

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

TAMPA, Fla. – Saudi Arabia Military Medical Services hosted the first Multinational Medical Response Training in partnership with the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) Command Surgeon from Feb. 11-13, in Riyadh.

“This inaugural event’s purpose is to create an enduring regional medical disaster response framework that enhances stability and collaboration throughout the region,” said USCENTCOM Command Surgeon U.S. Army Col. Larry McCord. “I believe this will be the first of many iterations of medical cooperation and training that builds relationships and strengthens our bonds.”

Funded by the Overseas Humanitarian Disaster and Civic Aid (OHDACA) appropriation, this initiative establishes an emergency response plan to foster strategic medical partnerships.

Training objectives included improving civilian basic living conditions and promoting interoperability amongst foreign militaries and with civilian medical professionals. The biennial event featured speakers, workshops, exhibit displays, and a capstone field training exercise showcasing emergency medical readiness and humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations.

“Multinational Medical Response Training brings together military and medical leaders from around the world, focused on enhancing partnerships and interoperability, preparing our nation’s medical systems to combat global health threats and to support humanitarian assistance and disaster response initiatives,” said Brig. Gen. Thad Collard, Army Reserve Medical Command Deputy Commanding General. “Through multinational training like this, we will better prepare to coordinate, communicate, and respond to future challenges.”

More than 1000 healthcare professionals from 20 partner nations participated in establishing this foundational medical training to promote collaborative medical responses through bilateral and multilateral partnerships.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Feb. 20, 2024
Release Number 20240220 – 01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – On Feb 19, between 12:30 and 1:50 p.m., two anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) were launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward M/V Sea Champion, a Greek-flagged, U.S.-owned grain carrier in the Gulf of Aden. Minor damage and no injuries were reported. The ship continued toward its scheduled destination to deliver grain to Aden, Yemen.

A surface to air missile launcher was located and destroyed by U.S. CENTCOM forces in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen at approximately 5 p.m.

One additional anti-ship ballistic missile was launched at 6:40 p.m. but did not impact any commercial or coalition ships.

At 7:20 p.m., a one-way attack (OWA) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) struck the M/V Navis Fortuna, a Marshall Islands-flagged, U.S.-owned, bulk carrier causing minor damage and no injuries. The ship continued its voyage toward Italy.

At 8:15 p.m., U.S. CENTCOM forces destroyed a OWA UAV in Western Yemen prepared to launch at ships in the Red Sea.

Between 8 p.m. on Feb. 19 and 12:30 a.m. on Feb. 20, U.S. and coalition aircraft and warships shot down 10 OWA UAVs in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Additionally, at 12:30 a.m., Feb. 20, USS Laboon (DDG 58) identified one anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) headed in its direction. USS Laboon subsequently shot down the ASCM.

The OWA UAVs, the SAM system, and ASCM destroyed were identified by CENTCOM and determined they presented imminent threats to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. These actions will protect navigational rights and freedoms and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

TAMPA, Fla. – Between 9:30 and 10:45 p.m., Feb. 18, two anti-ship ballistic missiles were launched from Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen toward MV Rubymar, a Belize-flagged, UK-owned bulk carrier. One of the missiles struck the vessel, causing damage. The ship issued a distress call and a coalition warship along with another merchant vessel responded to the call to assist the crew of the MV Rubymar. The crew was transported to a nearby port by the merchant vessel.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Feb. 18, 2024
Release Number 20240218 – 01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – Between the hours of 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Sanaa time), Feb. 17, CENTCOM successfully conducted five self-defense strikes against three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, one unmanned underwater vessel (UUV), and one unmanned surface vessel (USV) in Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. This is the first observed Houthi employment of a UUV since attacks began in Oct. 23.

CENTCOM identified the anti-ship cruise missiles, unmanned underwater vessel, and the unmanned surface vessel in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Feb. 17, 2024
Release Number 20240217 – 01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – From 1:15 p.m. (Sanaa time), Feb. 16, to 1 a.m., Feb 17, four anti-ship ballistic missiles launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into the Red Sea. It is assessed that three of the missiles were launched towards commercial vessel MT Pollux, a Panamanian-flagged, Denmark-owned, Panamanian-registered vessel. There were no reported injuries or damage from MT Pollux or any other ship in the area.

Additionally, between the hours of 1:40 p.m. and 6:45 p.m., CENTCOM successfully conducted two self-defense strikes against one mobile anti-ship cruise missile and one mobile unmanned surface vessel (USV) in Yemen. CENTCOM identified the mobile missile and USV in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined it presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Feb. 16, 2024
Release Number 20240216 – 01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – On Feb. 15, at approximately 4:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), an anti-ship ballistic missile was launched from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen into the Gulf of Aden. The missile was headed toward MV Lycavitos, a Barbados-flagged, UK-owned and operated bulk carrier. The ship reported no injuries but very minor damage in the attack and continued its voyage.

Additionally, between the hours of 3:10 p.m. – 8 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces successfully conducted two self-defense strikes against three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM) in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen that were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.

CENTCOM identified these mobile missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels.

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Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Feb. 15, 2024
Release Number 20240215 – 02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – A U.S. Coast Guard cutter, forward deployed to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility, seized advanced conventional weapons and other lethal aid originating in Iran and bound to Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen from a vessel in the Arabian Sea on Jan. 28.

The U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class fast-response cutter USCGC Clarence Sutphin Jr (WPC 1147), assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, located the vessel, and boarded it in the Arabian Sea. The boarding team discovered over 200 packages that contained medium-range ballistic missile components, explosives, unmanned underwater/surface vehicle (UUV/USV) components, military-grade communication and network equipment, anti-tank guided missile launcher assemblies, and other military components.

The direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer of such aid violates U.N. Security Council Resolution 2216 (as extended and renewed by resolutions 2675 and 2707).

“This is yet another example of Iran’s malign activity in the region,” said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM commander. “Their continued supply of advanced conventional weapons to the Houthis is in direct violation of international law and continues to undermine the safety of international shipping and the free flow of commerce.”

CENTCOM is committed to working with our allies and partners to counter the flow of Iranian lethal aid in the region by all lawful means including U.S. and U.N. sanctions and through interdictions.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Feb. 15, 2024

Release Number 20240215 – 01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – On Feb. 14, between the hours of 1p.m. – 7:30p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces successfully conducted four self-defense strikes against seven mobile anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM), three mobile unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and one explosive unmanned surface vessel (USV) in Houthi controlled areas of Yemen, that were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.

CENTCOM identified these mobile missiles, UAVs, and USV in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING  –  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6, 2024
 
DIA report confirms the Houthis’ use of Iranian missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles to conduct attacks across Middle East
 
JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING — Analysis confirms that Houthi forces have employed various Iranian-origin missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles against military and civilian targets throughout the region, according to an unclassified report released today by the Defense Intelligence Agency.
 
“Iran: Enabling Houthi Attacks Across the Middle East” provides a comparative analysis of publicly available images of Iranian missiles and UAVs to those displayed and employed by Houthi forces in Yemen to attack commercial shipping in the Red Sea and civilian and port infrastructure across the region.
 
The report highlights the evolving and strengthening relationship between the Houthis and Iran. Since 2014, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) has provided the Houthis a growing arsenal of sophisticated weapons and training. Iran’s aid has enabled the Houthis to conduct a campaign of missile and UAV attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea since November 2023, threatening freedom of navigation and international commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways.
 
DIA has released the report as part of ongoing transparency efforts to enhance public understanding of the Defense Intelligence Agency’s mission and to provide insights on Department of Defense and national security issues. Information within the report is considered current as of January 17, 2024.

Media may direct queries about the report to DIA Public Affairs at dia-pao@dodiis.mil.
 
LINK to report: https://www.dia.mil/Military-Power-Publications

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Feb. 14, 2024
Release Number 20240214 – 01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – On Feb. 13, at approximately 2:35 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces successfully conducted a self-defense strike against one mobile anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM), in Iranian-backed Houthi controlled areas of Yemen, that was prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.

Separately, at approximately 9:20 p.m.(Sanaa time), one anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) was launched from Iranian-backed Houthi controlled areas of Yemen into the Gulf of Aden.  U.S. Navy ships tracked the missile but took no action because the missile was not projected to impact near any ships. There were no reports of injuries or damage from ships in the area.

U.S. forces will continue to take actions that protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. navy and merchant vessels.

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