US, UK Forces Shoot Down 21 Drones, Missiles Fired By Houthis In Red Sea

The US and UK forces on Tuesday shot down 21 missiles and drones fired by Yemen-based Houthi rebel group towards international shipping lanes in the southern Red Sea region, said the US military’s Central Command, reported Reuters. 

There were no injuries or damage reported, the US Central Command said, adding that this was the 26th Houthi attack on commercial shipping lanes in the Res Sea since November 19. 

18 drones, two anti-ship cruise missiles, and one anti-ship ballistic missiles were shot down by the US and British forces, the said the US Central Command. 

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The development comes just week after US military forces shot down over a dozen drones and several missiles fired by Houthis into the Red Sea in December last year. 

In a post on X, the US Central Command said: “U.S. assets, to include the USS LABOON (DDG 58) and F/A-18 Super Hornets from the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, shot down twelve one-way attack drones, three anti-ship ballistic missiles, and two land attack cruise missiles in the Southern Red Sea that were fired by the Houthis over a 10 hour period which began at approximately 6:30 a.m. (Sanaa time) on December 26. There was no damage to ships in the area or reported injuries.” 

The rebel group had earlier claimed responsibility for a missile strike on a vessel in the Red Sea and a drone attack towards Israel in Solidarity with Gaza. 

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The Houthis have pledged their support to Hamas in their fighting against Israel since October 7 and have vowed to continue the attacks until Israel halts the conflict in the beseiged strip. It has also warned that it would attack US warships if the militia group itself was targeted. 

Following the attacks on several merchant vessels, many shipping firms Mediterranean Shipping Company, Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd and the oil company British Petroleum decided to divert their ships from the Red Sea after the Houthis attack.