The Italian defence ministry reported that a drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels towards a European cargo ship was shot down by an Italian navy vessel.
The incident occurred near the Bab-el-Mandeb strait at the southern tip of the Red Sea in the late morning.
The drone, which was 5 kilometres (approximately 3.11 miles) from the cargo ship when intercepted, resembled those used in previous Houthi attacks.
Additional drones and missiles targeted the cargo, with one missile detonating in the water close to the vessel, causing only minor damage.
The Italian “Fasan” frigate, which shot down the drone, along with the cargo ship, continued their journey southward along their planned route out of the Red Sea.
This operation is part of the Eunavfor Aspides, an EU naval mission initiated in February to safeguard shipping along this vital trade corridor.
The Iran-backed Houthi militants have frequently targeted international commercial vessels in the region with drones and missiles as a form of solidarity with Palestinians against Israeli military actions in Gaza.
The US Central Command (Centcom) announced that it successfully engaged and destroyed five drones over the Red Sea, which posed an imminent threat to coalition forces and commercial shipping.
The Central Command stated, “It was determined that the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) represented an imminent threat to the United States, our allies in the Prosperity Coalition, and commercial vessels operating in the region.”
The action was described as necessary “to protect the freedom of navigation and to ensure the international waters remain safe for American and allied merchant ships.”
