The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has reported that earlier today, Houthi forces ” launched a complex attack of Iranian designed one-way attack UAVs (OWA UAVs), anti-ship cruise missiles, and an anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into the Southern Red Sea, towards international shipping lanes where dozens of merchant vessels were transiting.”
“Eighteen OWA UAVs, two anti-ship cruise missiles, and one anti-ship ballistic missile were shot down by a combined effort of F/A-18s from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), USS Gravely (DDG 107), USS Laboon (DDG 58), USS Mason (DDG 87), and the United Kingdom’s HMS Diamond (D34),” the statement added.
CENTCOM commented that this marks the 26th attack by Houthi forces against commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea since November 19.
This attack comes as the United States, the UK, and several other partner nations released a joint statement for the Houthis to immediately cease attacks in the Red Sea or “bear the responsibility for the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, or the free flow of commerce in the region’s critical waterways.”