According to a statement from US Central Command, the US Navy shot down 21 Houthi missiles and drones launched from Yemen, in one of the largest Houthi attacks to take place in the Red Sea in recent months. The military described it a “complex attack” carried out by the Iranian-backed militants. It comes as tensions rise in Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, raising fears that the conflict will spread to other parts of the region.
The barrage, which began around 9:15 p.m. Tuesday in Yemen, consisted of 18 one-way attack drones, two anti-ship cruise missiles, and one anti-ship ballistic missile, as per Central Command said. According to the statement, the attack targeted international shipping lanes in the southern Red Sea where “dozens” of merchant vessels were traveling.
Two defence officials previously told CNN that the barrage consisted of 24 drones and missiles. According to CENTCOM, no ships were damaged during the attacks, and no one was injured as a result of the massive drone and missile launch.
As quoted in CNN, in a statement, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said Tuesday’s attack was a “coordinated offensive” targeting an American ship “aiding” Israel in the Red Sea, in response to what he described as a “treacherous attack” by US forces on Houthi naval units on last week.Three destroyers were part of the US shootdown of the barrage, according to one defence official.
According to Central Command, two US destroyers and F-18 fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier worked together to shoot down the missiles and drones. The Royal Navy's HMS Diamond, an air defence destroyer, contributed to the effort.
The United States and other countries have several ships in the Red Sea as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational effort to protect shipping in one of the world's most important waterways. The coalition includes more than 20 countries.The launch comes as the UN Security Council votes on a resolution led by the United States condemning the recent Houthi attacks in the Red Sea on Wednesday morning. It also coincides with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to the Middle East, which aims to contain the Gaza conflict and prevent a regional escalation.
(Inputs from CNN)
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