US Army Downs Houthi Drones in Red Sea: CENTCOM Identifies Imminent Threat

2024-02-24 00:54:00
FILE IMAGE. CENTCOM identified the drones and cruise missiles and determined that they presented an imminent threat (Europa Press/Contact/US Air Force)

The United States Army reported this Friday the downing of three unmanned aerial vehicles of Yemen’s Houthi rebels that were flying near several commercial ships in the waters of the Red Sea, amid increasing tensions in the region as a result of the Israeli attacks on Gaza.

You may be interested: The US carried out new defense operations once morest Houthi rebel targets in the Red Sea off Yemen

The forces of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) have reported that this Friday between 3:30 and 5:00, local time in Sana’a – the capital of Yemen -, they have managed to intercept three drones without causing damage to any of the vessels that were in the surrounding area at that time.

CENTCOM has also said that on Thursday it carried out “self-defense attacks” once morest four drones and two anti-ship cruise missiles “ready to be launched from areas of Yemen controlled by the Houthis towards the Red Sea.”

You may be interested: The United States destroyed an arsenal of Houthi missiles and drones in the Red Sea

“CENTCOM identified the drones and cruise missiles and determined that they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region,” he explains.

According to the statement, these actions by the US Central Command “will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer for the US Navy and merchant ships.”

You may be interested: The UN warned of the imminent execution of a human rights defender in Yemen

The Houthi rebels have not issued any statement in this regard, although they have published through their networks numerous images of a new massive demonstration that has taken place through the streets of the Yemeni capital once morest Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip.

A speech by the leader of the Houthi Shiite rebel movement, Abdelmalek al Huti (EFE/Stringer)

Previously, the Houthis have denounced that US bombings reached the Al Jabana area, west of the city of Hodeida, while reconnaissance flights by US spy planes continue.

Yesterday, the leader of the Houthis, Abdelmalek al Huti, said in a televised speech that the insurgents have added several “submarine weapons” to their operational arsenal to continue carrying out attacks once morest the Red Sea, a strategic route through which they travel. around 15% of world maritime trade.

“In these operations, we are also heading towards escalation in terms of intensity and type. This involves the activation of missiles, drones, military ships and the introduction of underwater weapons, which is worrying for the enemy,” Al Huthi said in a televised speech.

This is the first time that the Houthis have spoken out regarding the use of underwater weapons, although the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on February 17 that it launched an attack once morest “an unmanned underwater vessel (UUV)” that was being prepared by the insurgents.

In recent months, hostilities have intensified in the region as a result of Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. In solidarity with the Palestinians, the Houthis have warned that they will attack any ship operated by Israeli companies or whose final destination is their ports.

In response, the United States and the United Kingdom have led a coalition to protect maritime trade, even attacking rebel-controlled Yemeni territory, which has also expanded attacks on the ships of these two countries.

(With information from EP and EFE)

1708745909
#United #States #shot #Houthi #drones #targeting #merchant #ships #Red #Sea