Illustrative image.
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on May 8 that two of three drones launched from Yemen by the Houthis (Ansar Allah) were intercepted a day earlier over the Gulf of Aden.
“A coalition ship successfully engaged one UAS [unmanned aerial system], U.S. Central Command … forces successfully engaged the second UAS, and the final UAS crashed in the Gulf of Aden,” the command said in a statement. “There were no injuries or damages reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels.”
In the same statement, the command said that the Houthis launched on the same day, May 7, an anti-ship ballistic missile in the direction of the Gulf of Aden without causing any losses.
“It was determined that these weapons presented an imminent threat to both coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region.” CENTCOM said. “These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels.”
On May 7, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said that two explosions were reported in the proximity of a merchant vessel 82 nautical miles south of the Yemeni port of Aden. UKMTO reported that the vessel and all crew are safe and that authorities are investigating.
The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have carried out 156 attacks against vessels affiliated with Israel or owned by the U.S. and the UK in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean since last November in response to the Israeli war on Gaza.
In addition, the group launched 111 drone and missile attacks against the southernmost Israeli city of Eilat and shot down three U.S. combat drones over Yemen and nearby waters.
The U.S. and the UK have carried out more than 450 strikes against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen since January. At least 40 people were killed and 35 others were wounded as a result of these strikes. Nevertheless, the group remains undeterred.
Last week, the Houthis announced that they will expand their operations against Israel-affiliated ships to include all commercial vessels transiting the Mediterranean Sea.
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houthi drones aren’t very effective.
they have decreased traffic by 40 percent in the area. damaging several ships. they also have caused damage to israel as seen in the recent satellite images of eilat which itself is losing billions in cargo transiting though it.