WASHINGTON: The United States (US) and French forces downed dozens of drones in the Red Sea on Saturday after Yemen’s Houthis targeted bulk carrier Propel Fortune and US destroyers in the Gulf of Aden.
The Houthis have been conducting attacks on ships in the Red Sea since November, claiming it as an act of solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza conflict.
According to Yahya Sarea, the group’s military spokesman, they targeted the cargo vessel and “a number of US war destroyers at the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden with 37 drones”.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the downing of 15 uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) by US Navy ships and aircraft in the Red Sea area. CENTCOM stated that the drones posed an imminent threat to merchant vessels, US Navy, and coalition ships in the region.
Meanwhile, a French warship and fighter jets intercepted four combat drones advancing towards naval vessels of the European Aspides mission in the region, as reported by the French army. The defensive action was aimed at protecting the cargo ship True Confidence, which had been struck on March 6 and was being towed, along with other commercial vessels transiting in the area.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed an attempted attack on the Singapore-flagged Propel Fortune, reporting two explosions in close proximity to the bulk carrier. However, all crew members were safe, and the vessel continued on to its next port of call. UKMTO speculated that Propel Fortune may have been targeted due to outdated US ownership data.
Houthi Group Vows to Continue Attacks
In response to the attacks, Sarea reiterated the Houthis’ commitment to continue their assaults until the aggression ceases and the blockade on the Gaza Strip is lifted.
AFP reported that On January 9, US and British troops shot down eighteen drones and three missiles fired by the rebels toward vessels in the Red Sea, the US military claimed.
The US in December announced a maritime security initiative to protect Red Sea shipping from Houthi assaults, which have forced commercial ships to divert from the route that usually carries 12 % of international trade.
Since January the US and the UK have also launched repeated attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen in response to the ship assaults, but the group has continued to attack merchant ships and have also targeted the US and British vessels.
