Red Sea, Yemen – The US Navy intercepted and destroyed 21 missiles and drones launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen, the US Central Command announced. This attack marks one of the largest incidents of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea in recent months. The military described the assault as a “complex attack” conducted by Iranian-backed militants.
On Tuesday night, a barrage of 18 one-way attack drones, two anti-ship cruise missiles, and one anti-ship ballistic missile was launched towards international shipping lanes in the southern Red Sea. Central Command revealed that dozens of merchant vessels were present in the area at the time of the attack, but no ships were damaged, and there were no reports of injuries.
To counter the threat, three destroyers from the US Navy, along with F-18 fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, and the UK’s Royal Navy’s HMS Diamond participated in the operation. This joint effort was part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational endeavor involving more than 20 countries aimed at safeguarding shipping in the critical waterway.
While the Houthis have claimed that their attacks are in solidarity with the Palestinian people, the majority of their recent attacks have had no connection to Israel. According to Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, Commander of US Naval Central Command, the impact of these attacks extends globally. A total of 55 nations have direct connections to the ships that have been targeted, whether through flagging state, crew nationality, ship origin and destination, or vessel ownership.
The US and several other countries have strongly condemned the continued Houthi attacks, cautioning that the consequences will fall on the rebels should they persist in threatening lives, the global economy, and the free flow of commerce in the region’s critical waterways. This latest attack serves as a reminder of the international nature of the problem and the need for an international solution.
In summary, the US Navy successfully intercepted and destroyed 21 missiles and drones launched by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. The attack was described as a “complex attack” carried out by Iranian-backed militants. Although no damage or injuries were reported, the ongoing Houthi attacks pose a threat to international shipping and the global economy. The multinational Operation Prosperity Guardian aims to safeguard shipping in the region, involving more than 20 countries. The US and other nations have condemned the attacks and warned of consequences if they continue to disrupt commerce and endanger lives.