US Military Destroys Houthi Drone In Red Sea

HMS Richmond, currently taking part in Operation Prosperity Guardian protecting merchant shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi rebel attacks, fires missiles to shoot down hostile Houthi drones heading towards the ship, on the Red Sea, March 9, 2024.
HMS Richmond, currently taking part in Operation Prosperity Guardian protecting merchant shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi rebel attacks, fires missiles to shoot down hostile Houthi drones heading towards the ship, on the Red Sea, March 9, 2024.

The US military says it has destroyed a drone launched by Iran-backed Yemeni Houthi rebels on Saturday, with another presumed to have crashed into the Red Sea.

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), no damage or injuries to nearby ships were reported. CENTCOM also reported the destruction of five unmanned surface vessels and one UAV in self-defense within Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

"It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region," a CENTCOM statement read.

Months of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have disrupted global shipping, leading to longer and costlier routes around Southern Africa and raising concerns about regional stability amid ongoing conflicts.

In response to the attacks, the US and Britain have been conducting strikes against Houthi targets.

The Iran-backed Houthis recently announced plans to expand their operations beyond the Red Sea to block "Israel-linked ships" in the Indian Ocean. Commercial vessels have been forced to take longer routes due to Houthi attacks, which have closed the shorter path between Asia and Europe through the Red Sea and Suez Canal. 

The Houthi rebels have been targeting ships in the Red Sea since November, citing solidarity with Palestinians during Israel's offensive in Gaza which started after the October 7 attacks by Hamas, another Tehran-backed Islamist militant group. They are armed and trained by Iran and began their maritime attacks following Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's call for Arabs to blockade Israel.