Amid intensifying hostilities in the Middle East, the conflict between Israel and Hamas has faced escalating retaliation from pro-Iran militias in Iraq. These groups have conducted strikes in response to events across the region, contributing to a broader pattern of reciprocal action among regional actors.
The U.S. Central Command confirmed developments abroad on Saturday afternoon, noting land strikes against a Houthi missile launch facility. The operation occurred in multiple waves starting around 4 a.m. local time in Sanaa. The stated objective was to neutralize anti-ship missiles that Houthis were believed to hold and prepare for use in the Gulf of Aden. Pentagon officials described the missiles as a threat to merchant ships and U.S. naval vessels, framing the action as defensive and preventive within the regional context. [Citation: U.S. Department of Defense press briefing]
U.S. naval forces in the area, aided by allied partners, detected several anti-ship missiles believed to be in the Houthis’ arsenal. The majority of these weapons are linked to Iranian design origins, though maintenance and operations are reportedly carried out by engineers trained across multiple nations, including India, Iran, Russia, and North Korea. [Citation: U.S. Naval Command summary]
Among the missiles attributed to the Houthis is the Asef rocket, an Iranian-origin system based on the Fateh-313 framework. It represents a longer-range option within the group’s inventory, capable of traversing more than 200 miles. Unverified reports circulating this morning suggested that at least one of these missiles was destroyed during the recent operations. [Citation: Independent defense briefing]
In Iraq
On the same day, the Al Assad base in Iraq – a major hub for international forces aligned against extremist groups – endured a heavy bombardment, reportedly delivered by pro-Iranian militias in the Anbar province. The incident was initially reported by Iraq’s national press outlet and later corroborated by security sources quoted in regional newspapers. [Citation: Iraqi news agency report and regional security sources]
According to the same reporting, the missiles originated from the town of Al Baghdadi. The attack is attributed not to ISIS, but to Shiite militia factions aligned with Tehran’s broader strategy in the region. The Kataib Hezbollah faction, part of the Iraqi Islamic Resistance, claimed responsibility for the strike. [Citation: Baghdad press briefing and regional security outlets]
The Iraqi assault appears to form part of a series of reprisals linked to the deaths of members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, which allegedly occurred in an earlier strike near Damascus. The cycle of retaliatory actions continues as forces from Tehran’s network respond to recent losses in the theater. [Citation: regional security analysis]
These exchanges unfold ahead of discussions within the European Union about contributing naval assets to secure key sea lanes in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Officials from several EU member states, including Germany, Italy, and Belgium, have signaled potential interest, though a formal decision was not expected at this week’s gathering of foreign ministers. The evolving situation has prompted a broader debate about maritime security in the Red Sea corridor. [Citation: EU security council briefing]
The morning’s attacks follow a sequence of earlier actions by the North American naval deployment in the region. In total, three additional missile batteries were identified targeting the Red Sea area. U.S. naval command opted to preemptively neutralize these batteries, citing imminent threats to shipping routes. The responses reflect a coordinated approach among allied forces to deter attacks on commercial and strategic vessels in a volatile theater. [Citation: U.S. Navy press release]