The United States launched another airstrikes on Saturday against a Houthi anti-ship missile aimed at the Gulf of Aden, Central Command announced.

"As part of ongoing efforts to protect freedom of navigation and prevent attacks on maritime vessels, on January 20 at approximately 4 a.m. (Sanaa time), US Central Command forces conducted airstrikes against a Houthi anti-ship missile that was aimed into the Gulf of Aden and was prepared to launch," CENTCOM said in a statement.

The decision to launch the airstrikes was prompted by an assessment that the Houthi missile posed a direct threat to both merchant vessels and US Navy ships operating in the region. The military emphasized that the destruction of the missile was undertaken in self-defense.

The primary objective of this action was to bolster the safety and security of international waters for both US Navy and merchant vessels, according to the CENTCOM.

The recent airstrike is part of a broader series of defensive strikes initiated against Houthi targets since January 12, as outlined by the Biden administration. The goal is to curtail the Houthis' capabilities to target vessels in the Red Sea, a crucial route for global oil and merchandise shipments.

The Iran-backed Houthi forces have been targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea and have issued warnings of potential attacks on all Israeli-bound vessels. The group claims the actions are expressions of solidarity with Palestinians facing what they describe as Israel's "aggression and siege" in Gaza.

Last month, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the launch of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational mission aimed at countering Houthi attacks and ensuring maritime security in the region.