U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the destruction of two Houthi drones in an area controlled by the Houthis in Yemen.
In a statement reported by the American channel “Alhurra” on Saturday, CENTCOM stated, “Over the past 24 hours, U.S. Central Command forces successfully destroyed two drones.” The statement noted that these drones posed a clear and imminent threat to U.S. forces, coalition forces, and commercial vessels in the region.
CENTCOM emphasized that this action was taken to protect the freedom of navigation and ensure the safety and security of international waters for U.S. forces, coalition forces, and commercial vessels.
In a related development, a British maritime agency reported that a vessel located 130 nautical miles east of Aden, Yemen, reported the explosion of two missiles near it. The British navy confirmed that all crew members were safe and that the ship is now heading to its next port.
The situation in Yemen has grown increasingly tense following the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023. The Houthis, who are aligned with Iran, have launched multiple attacks in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. These actions have included missile launches and threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea, heightening the risks of a broader regional conflict. The Houthis have signaled their support for the Palestinian cause by aligning themselves with Hezbollah’s stance, though their direct involvement in the Gaza conflict has so far been limited to creating additional fronts for Israel to monitor.
The United States has responded by increasing its naval presence in the Red Sea and has conducted defensive operations, including the recent drone interceptions, to mitigate threats from Houthi forces. The situation remains volatile, with ongoing concerns about the potential for the conflict in Gaza to escalate further and draw in more regional actors, including the Houthis, on a larger scale.
