US shot down three Houthi drones targeting merchant ships in the Red Sea

Army America The demolition was reported this Friday Three unmanned aerial vehicles of Yemen's Houthi rebels Amid heightened tensions in the region as a result of Israel's attacks on Gaza, several merchant ships flew close in Red Sea waters.

Between 3:30 and 5:00 local time this Friday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces reported anger -Yemen's capital-, managed to intercept three drones without damaging any ships in the surrounding area at the time.

CENTCOM said on Thursday it carried out “defensive strikes” against four drones and two anti-ship cruise missiles “prepared to be launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen towards the Red Sea”.

“CENTCOM identified drones and cruise missiles and determined their delivery Immediate threat For merchant ships and US Navy vessels in the region,” he explains.

According to the statement, these actions by US Central Command will “protect freedom of navigation and make international seas safer for US naval and merchant vessels.”

The Houthi rebels have not issued any statement in this regard, although they have released several images through their networks of a new mass demonstration on the streets of the Yemeni capital against Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip.

Earlier, the Houthis had denounced the US bombing as reaching the area Al JabanaWest of the city Hodeida, At the same time, reconnaissance flights by American spy planes continue.

Yesterday, the leader of the Houthis, Abdelmalek Al HuthiA televised speech said the rebels had added several “submarine weapons” to their operational arsenal to continue attacks against the Red Sea, a strategic route through which about 15% of world seaborne trade passes.

“In these operations, we are moving towards an expansion in terms of intensity and type. This includes the introduction of missiles, drones, warships and underwater weapons, which worries the enemy,” Al Hudi said in a televised address.

This is the first time the Houthis have spoken about the use of underwater weapons, with US Central Command (CENTCOM) announcing on February 17 that it had struck “an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV)”. Rebels.

In recent months, fighting in the Gaza Strip has intensified as a result of Israeli attacks. In solidarity with the Palestinians, the Houthis have warned that they will attack any ships operated by Israeli companies or whose final destination is their ports.

In response, the United States and United Kingdom They have led a coalition aimed at protecting maritime trade, attacking rebel-held Yemeni territory and extending attacks on ships from both countries.

(with information from EP and EFE)