An F/A-18E Super Hornet launches from the USS Harry S. Truman on Dec. 28, 2024 in the Red Sea. Navy ships and aircraft attacked Houthi weapons facilities in Yemen on Dec. 30 and 31, according to U.S. Central Command. (Natalia Thoen/U.S. Navy)

American forces in the Middle East struck two underground Houthi weapons hubs in Yemen, U.S. Central Command said Wednesday.

The strikes were aimed at taking out advanced weaponry that had been used in recent attacks against U.S. Navy warships and merchant vessels in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, CENTCOM said in a statement on X.com. No U.S. personnel were injured nor equipment damaged in the attacks, the statement added.

U.S. forces have been working to degrade the capabilities of the Iranian-backed Houthis as the group continues targeting ships in the region. Late last month, CENTCOM confirmed striking several Houthi targets near the capital city of Sanaa, hitting a command hub and weapons production facility as well as a bunker with missiles and drones.

The Houthis, who say they are fighting for an end to the war in Gaza, have made multiple, unsubstantiated claims of successful attacks against U.S. targets. On Monday, the group claimed to have conducted an operation against the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, saying they had thwarted a major air attack.

The U.S. strike against the Houthis on Wednesday was deliberate and planned, and not a reactive response to any recent events, according to one defense official.

The Houthis also claimed credit for the downing of a U.S. Navy jet over the Red Sea last month that was apparently the result of a “friendly fire” accident involving the cruiser USS Gettysburg, according to CENTCOM. Two flight officers were able to safely eject and an investigation is ongoing.