US Forces Intercept And Destroy Houthi UAVs And Missiles In Red Sea

U.S. and coalition forces have responded decisively to Houthi threats in Yemen and the Red Sea that Iran supports in some recent incidents.

Five Iranian-backed Houthi one-way attack (OWA) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were successfully intercepted and shot down by U.S. aircraft and a coalition warship in the Red Sea on February 27, between 9:50 and 10:55 p.m. Sanaa time. These UAVs, which were launched from Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen, posed a serious threat to merchant and coalition ships, leading CENTCOM forces to take protective action.

This came after another series of attacks on February 26, when CENTCOM forces destroyed three unmanned surface boats (USVs), two mobile anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM), and a one-way attack UAV in self-defence. These threats were identified over the Red Sea and in Yemeni areas under Houthi control, highlighting the ongoing difficulties that the region’s maritime industry faces.

Destroyer — Image Credits: U.S. Central Command/Twitter

Furthermore, nearly a dozen Houthi locations in Yemen were targeted by combined attacks between American and British forces. The attacks targeted air defence systems, radars, underground weapon and missile storage sites, and other equipment to undermine Houthi capabilities.

The continuous Houthi attacks have hampered international trade and increased shipping costs; they are allegedly carried out in support of Palestinians amidst Middle East tensions. The Houthi campaign continues despite almost daily strikes by the U.S., threatening not only maritime trade but also the supply of humanitarian aid to Yemen and its neighbours.

The goal of the operations, according to U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, is to undermine further and disrupt the capabilities of the Houthi militia, which Iran supports. The coalition’s goal is clear: to prevent such attacks and safeguard the right to navigation in essential waterways, such as the Red Sea and surrounding areas.

The European Union has launched a naval mission named “Aspides” to the Red Sea in response to these difficulties to preserve and regain freedom of navigation. Similarly, the United States leads a parallel coalition called “Operation Prosperity Guardian”, committed to safeguarding commercial transportation against Houthi strikes.

Reference: CentCom

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