The U.S. military reported that it successfully intercepted three unmanned aerial systems launched by the Houthi rebels, who are aligned with Iran, from Yemen.
The U.S. Central Command stated in a release that a coalition ship engaged one drone successfully, while U.S. forces handled the second. The third drone crashed in the Gulf of Aden.
The statement emphasized that there were no injuries or damage reported from these incidents.
Since November 19, the Houthi rebels have launched dozens of missile and drone attacks targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea.
The Houthis claim these vessels are linked to Israel or headed to its ports, stating these actions support Palestinians in Gaza amid ongoing conflicts since October 7.
Washington leads an international maritime coalition to protect naval navigation in this strategic area, through which 12% of global trade passes.
In response to these threats, American and British forces have been conducting strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen since January 12 to deter further attacks.
Occasionally, the U.S. military also conducts independent strikes on missile and drone sites it identifies as prepared for launch.
In retaliation for these Western strikes, the Houthis have begun targeting American and British ships, declaring the interests of these nations as “legitimate targets.”
