The US military launched Tomahawk cruise missile strikes today to knock out three coastal radar sites in areas of Yemen controlled by Iran-aligned Houthi forces. The retaliatory action follows two incidents this week in which missiles were fired at US Navy warships in the Red Sea. <br/><br/>The strikes, authorized by President Barack Obama, represent Washington's first direct military action against suspected Houthi-controlled targets in Yemen's conflict. <br/><br/>The strikes were aimed at radar that enabled the launch of at least three missiles against the US Navy destroyer USS Mason since Sunday. Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said that these limited self-defense strikes were conducted to protect our personnel, our ships, and our freedom of navigation. The Pentagon warned against any future attacks.