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U.S. strikes more Houthi missile targets in Yemen, Pentagon says rebel sites posed "imminent threat'

Pentagon spokeswoman says goal was to "degrade, disrupt and destroy" rebels' ability to attack commercial ships in Red Sea.

NORFOLK, Va. — U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets conducted strikes Thursday on two Houthi anti-ship missiles that U.S. Central Command said were aimed into the Southern Red Sea and were prepared to launch.

That action came one day after the U.S. military hit 14 missiles in a dozen locations that the Defense Department deemed to be an "imminent threat." 

"The defensive actions this morning and last night were taken in accordance with the standing orders of the Secretary and the President, reflecting the inherent right to defend ourselves from attack or threat of imminent attack," said Sabrina Singh, the deputy Pentagon spokeswoman.

She said the goal has been to "degrade, disrupt and destroy" the rebels' ability to launch further attacks against commercial shipping and to keep 10 to 15 percent of the world's commerce flowing through the Red Sea.

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Virginia), the Senate Intelligence Committee chairman, said Thursday that he believes the U.S. has "struck the right balance to date."

He told 13News Now: "I do think it's appropriate we try to take out some of their military capability. I do think we are striking back in a way that tries to thread the needle of degrading their ability without frankly escalating to where you take out a lot of the Houthi leadership that might lead to this broader regional conflict."

Singh, speaking at the Pentagon, said "We don't seek war. We don't think we're at war."

She said it is up to the Houthis to stop attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea. "It is in their best interest to stop," she said.

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