An American warship shot down more than a dozen drones launched from areas controlled by the Houthi rebels in Yemen, according to the United States Central Command (CENTCOM).
According to a statement published this Sunday, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS CARNEY (DDG 64), operating in the Red Sea, successfully shot down 14 unmanned aerial systems launched on Saturday from Yemen.
According to CENTCOM, the drones appeared to be one-way attack devices and were neutralized without causing damage to ships in the area or leaving anyone injured. "Regional Red Sea partners were alerted to the threat," the statement reported.
In the early morning hours of December 16 (Sanna time) the US Arliegh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS CARNEY (DDG 64), operating in the Red Sea, successfully engaged 14 unmanned aerial systems launched as a drone wave from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. The UAS were… pic.twitter.com/Rjkzng5LxW
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 16, 2023
That same day, UK Defense Minister Grant Shapps also reported that HMS Diamond, one of the Royal Navy's most advanced warships, quickly intercepted and neutralized one of the terrorist drones with a Sea Viper missile.
"Alongside Royal Navy, we remain steadfast in safeguarding the lawful passage of ships in the region," the British Defence stated.
HMS Diamond, one of the Navy's most advanced warships, swiftly intercepted and neutralised a potential threat to merchant vessels in the Red Sea using a Sea Viper missile.
Alongside @RoyalNavy, we remain steadfast in safeguarding the lawful passage of ships in the region. pic.twitter.com/9GGnF1PAaZ
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) December 16, 2023
This episode follows a series of Houthi attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea on Friday. "Houthi forces contacted the Motor Vessel MSC ALANYA, a Liberian flagged vessel that was traveling north in the southern part of the Red Sea and threatened to attack it," CENTCOM reported.
At approximately 0700, Dec. 15 (Sanaa time), Houthi forces contacted the Motor Vessel MSC ALANYA, a Liberian flagged vessel that was traveling north in the southern part of the Red Sea and threatened to attack it. The Houthis directed the vessel to turn around and proceed south.… pic.twitter.com/DOA2MLqJie
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 15, 2023
It should be noted that the rebels have already carried out several attacks since October 7, when the war between Hamas and Israel began, and have made it clear that they are willing to continue carrying out attacks against any ship that tries to approach Israeli ports. This is unless food and medicine are allowed to enter the Gaza Strip.
Iran, the sponsor of the Houthi attacks
Recently, CENTCOM named Iran as the sponsor of attacks carried out by Houthi rebels in Yemen.
"We also have every reason to believe that these attacks, while launched by the Houthis in Yemen, are fully enabled by Iran," CENTCOM said, stressing that these attacks pose a direct threat to international trade and maritime security.
