The US military said it shot down one drone and one anti-ship ballistic missile in the southern Red Sea, launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen, allegedly backed by Iran. This is the 22nd such attack on international shipping since 19 October.
The Houthis frequently target ships in the Red Sea, saying that their attacks are in support of Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel is fighting the militant group Hamas.
22nd Attack in Red Sea
US Central Command (CENTCOM) wrote on X, “The USS Mason (DDG 87) [guided-missile destroyer] shot down one drone and one anti-ship ballistic missile in the Southern Red Sea that were fired by the Houthis between 5:45-6:10 p.m. (Sanaa time) on 28 Dec.”
According to the statement, “There was no damage to any of the 18 ships in the area or reported injuries.”
“This is the 22nd attempted attack by Houthis on international shipping since 19 Oct,” the statement added.
The Houthis have threatened to target all Israel-bound ships. It said that the attacks were carried out to aid Palestinians facing Israel’s “aggression and siege” in Gaza.
The Red Sea is one of the world’s most commonly used sea routes for both fuel and oil shipments.
US shoots down drone, anti-ship missile in Red sea fired by Houthis https://t.co/d4LbJPhgue pic.twitter.com/l5y5UNRJyR
— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) December 29, 2023
Houthi Attacks in Red Sea
Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder said in October that the crew of the guided-missile destroyer USS Carney, which is currently patrolling in the northern Red Sea, shot down three cruise missiles and six drones launched by Houthi troops.
In November, the Houthis seized a vehicle transport ship in the Red Sea off Yemen, which was also associated with Israel. The ship is still under rebel hands near the port city of Hodeida.
Earlier this month, the USS Carney detected a ballistic missile fired from Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen targeting the Bahamas-flagged bulk ship Unity Explorer. “The Carney was conducting a patrol in the Red Sea and detected the attack on the Unity Explorer,” the statement added.
In response to this, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin recently announced the formation of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational initiative to combat Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea.
‘Operation Prosperity Guardian’
Austin said in a statement that the Red Sea is a crucial waterway for freedom of navigation and a major commercial corridor for international trade. “This is an international challenge that demands collective action. Therefore, I am announcing the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an important new multinational security initiative,” he claimed.
According to Austin, the mission will be coordinated by Combined Task Force 153, which was established in April 2022 to reinforce maritime security in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb, and the Gulf of Aden.
The UK, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain will join the US in the new mission, Austin explained. Some nations will conduct joint patrols in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, while others will give intelligence support.
“The recent escalation in reckless Houthi attacks originating from Yemen threatens the free flow of commerce, endangers innocent mariners, and violates international law,” Austin stressed.