US, UK Forces Shoot Down 21 Drones, Missiles Fired by Houthis in Red Sea

Defense News ,Red Sea :- In a recent development, Houthi rebels from Yemen executed a sophisticated attack by launching 18 drones over the southern Red Sea, as reported by the US military's Central Command (CENTCOM). This marks the 26th assault on international trade routes by the armed group in the past seven weeks. CENTCOM, collaborating with UK forces, successfully intercepted two anti-ship cruise missiles and one anti-ship ballistic missile.

According to CENTCOM's statement on Wednesday, the Iranian-backed Houthis orchestrated a complex attack using Iranian-designed one-way attack UAVs, anti-ship cruise missiles, and an anti-ship ballistic missile from areas under Houthi control in Yemen into the Southern Red Sea.

The series of attacks began when the Houthis seized the Galaxy Leader, a truck carrier en route from Turkey to India, on November 19. Since then, they have targeted Red Sea shipping channels consistently.

In response to the Gaza conflict involving Israel, the Houthi rebels, aligned with Iran, initiated these strikes. The operation against the Houthis involved four destroyers, including one from the UK, and fighter jets from the Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier.

The Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks until Israel ceases hostilities in Gaza. Yemen's Houthis have launched numerous drone and missile attacks at Israel during the ongoing war, with many of them intercepted.

The Israel-Hamas war, which commenced on October 7, followed an incursion by thousands of Hamas terrorists across the border, resulting in casualties among Israelis. The Houthis express solidarity with Gaza, reporting a death toll of over 20,900.

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council in New York is set to vote on January 10 on a draft resolution submitted by the US. The resolution condemns attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea and calls for an immediate cessation of such acts, along with the release of the Galaxy Leader and its crew.