US and UK destroyed 21 Houthis missiles & drones from Red Sea

The forces of the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) have destroyed 21 missiles fired by Yemen militant group Houthis from the Red Sea. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) says it shot down 18 Yemeni Houthi rebel drones over the southern Red Sea.

According to CENTCOM, It is the 26th attack of Houthis on international trade lines in the last seven weeks. US CENTCOM stated two anti-ship cruise missiles and one anti-ship ballistic missile of Houthis were also destroyed totaling 21 with the help of the UK.

US, UK forces shoot down 21 drones and missiles fired by Houthis https://t.co/MKwHhh1Ez9
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) January 10, 2024

CENTCOM stated that Iranian-backed Houthis launched a complex attack following Iranian-designed one-way attack UAVs (Unmanned aerial vehicles). It included anti-ship cruise missiles and an anti-ship ballistic missile from Huthi-controlled areas of Yemen into the Southern Red Sea.

According to CENTCOM, fighter jets from the aircraft carrier Dwight D Eisenhower and four destroyers, including one from the United Kingdom, took part in the mission. There were no recorded casualties or property damage.

Houthi Attack on International Shipping

On Jan. 9, at approximately 9:15 p.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthis launched a complex attack of Iranian designed one-way attack UAVs (OWA UAVs), anti-ship cruise missiles, and an anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled… pic.twitter.com/KWPRidwiWI
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 10, 2024

Click here to read the details about Japan’s condemns Yemen’s Houthi rebel’s hijack of the ship in the Red Sea

The latest attack was the 26th attack by Houthis on Red Sea shipping lines since November 19. When they hijacked the Galaxy Leader, a vehicle carrier traveling from Turkey to India. The Japanese shipping line NYK ran the hijacked Galaxy Leader.

Although Galaxy Leader is owned by a company linked to an Israeli tycoon, the majority of its 25-member multinational crew hailed from the Philippines. However, Other ships have no ties to Israel that Houthis targeted in two previous months.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attacks, which began in response to the invasion of Gaza by Israel. They claim to target Israeli-linked ships.

The United States organized an international naval alliance to deal with the attacks over the last month. It prompts some shipping lines to take the longer sea route around southern Africa and avoid the Red Sea entirely.

However, the United Nations Security Council in New York will vote on a draft resolution proposed on January 10. The United States proposed this resolution to condemn Houthis attacks on maritime vessels in the Red Sea. It also demands an immediate ending of such operations.