In a significant operation, United States Navy vessels and aircraft successfully intercepted and destroyed 15 drones launched by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis in the Red Sea region. This is one of the largest assaults launched by the Houthis since they initiated a campaign of drone and missile strikes against ships in the Red Sea area in November.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) disclosed that the “large-scale” Houthi attack occurred before dawn in the Red Sea and adjacent Gulf of Aden. CENTCOM and coalition forces determined that the drones posed an imminent threat to merchant vessels, US Navy, and coalition ships in the region.
US and Coalition Defeat Houthi Attack in Red Sea Area
Between 4 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists conducted a large-scale uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) attack into the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. CENTCOM and coalition forces identified the one-way… pic.twitter.com/PJag5PYUfZ
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 9, 2024
In response, US Navy vessels and aircraft, along with multiple coalition navy ships and aircraft, successfully shot down 15 of the drones. These actions were taken to safeguard freedom of navigation and enhance the safety and security of international waters.
This interception follows a similar incident on January 9, where US and British forces intercepted 18 drones and three missiles fired by the rebels toward ships in the Red Sea. Britain labelled it the largest attack by the Houthis up to that point.
To counter such threats, the United States announced a maritime security initiative in December aimed at protecting Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks. These attacks have compelled commercial vessels to divert from the usual route, which typically carries 12 percent of global trade.
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In addition to intercepting drones and missiles, the US and Britain have conducted airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen since January in response to the ship attacks. Despite these measures, the rebels have persisted in attacking merchant vessels and have targeted American and British ships.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, the US conducted airstrikes on Friday, destroying two Houthi truck-mounted anti-ship missiles in Yemen. The rebels did not acknowledge any destruction resulting from these strikes.
The Houthis have controlled northern Yemen and the capital city of Sanaa since 2014, engaging in a long-stalemated civil war against a Saudi-led coalition since 2015. Since the US airstrike campaign began in January, the Houthis have admitted to the deaths of at least 22 of its fighters, with one civilian also reportedly killed.
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