The Navies of the United States and the United Kingdom Report Downing 15 Offensive Drones Over the Red Sea

On Saturday, a U.S. warship intercepted and destroyed 14 drones suspected of being attack drones over the Red Sea. Additionally, the British Royal Navy’s HMS Diamond downed another drone that was reportedly aiming at commercial vessels. Both the British and American militaries have confirmed these actions.

The Houthi rebels in Yemen, amidst escalating tensions in the region, have been launching attacks on ships traversing the Red Sea, one of the most crucial global shipping lanes. These attacks have included drone and missile launches aimed at Israel during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The U.S. Central Command reported that the USS Carney successfully engaged 14 drones originating from areas in Yemen under Houthi control. The operation resulted in the destruction of the drones without causing any reported damage or injuries.

U.K. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps stated that the HMS Diamond employed a Sea Viper missile to eliminate a drone targeting merchant shipping. This incident marked the Royal Navy’s first aerial target engagement in combat since the 1991 Gulf War.

Shapps highlighted the Houthis’ attacks on commercial shipping as a significant threat to international trade and maritime security. He reaffirmed the U.K.’s commitment to counter these threats and maintain the free flow of global trade.

The HMS Diamond was deployed to the region as a deterrent, joining forces with vessels from the U.S., France, and other nations.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas, with both groups receiving backing from Iran, has intensified threats to global shipping. This includes attacks on Israeli-linked vessels and increasing risks to commercial ships like container ships and oil tankers from various countries.

Recently, three commercial ships in the Red Sea were hit by ballistic missiles from Houthi-controlled Yemen. During this attack, a U.S. warship intercepted three drones.

In response to the escalating threats, the French container shipping line CMA CGM Group directed its vessels scheduled to navigate the Red Sea to halt in safe areas until further notice. Similarly, Maersk, the world’s largest shipping company, instructed its vessels to stop their journeys through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait following a missile strike on a Liberian-flagged cargo ship. German shipper Hapag-Lloyd also paused its container ship traffic in the Red Sea.

Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdel-Salam mentioned ongoing discussions with international parties, facilitated by Oman, regarding the rebels’ attacks on shipping in the Red and Arabian seas. He declared the group’s intention to continue targeting vessels linked to Israel until the situation in Gaza is addressed. Abdel-Salam suggested that steps to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Palestine and Gaza, like providing food and medicine, could help de-escalate the situation.