Yemen’s Houthis fired their largest-ever barrage of drones and missiles targeting shipping in the Red Sea, forcing the United States and British navies to shoot down the projectiles in a major naval engagement, authorities said Wednesday.
The U.S. Central Command confirmed details of the incident in a post to “X” Tuesday night, stating that “no damage was immediately reported.”
The U.S. Central Command said Houthis launched on January 9 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 areas of Yemen into the southern Red Sea, towards international shipping lanes, where dozens of merchant vessels were transiting.
It said 18 uncrewed aerial vehicles (OWA-UAVs), two anti-ship cruise missiles and one anti-ship missile were downed by F-18s from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, as well as by American destroyers the USS Gravely, the USS Laboon and the USS Mason, as well as the United Kingdom’s HMS Diamond.
“This is the 26th Houthi attack on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea since Nov. 19,” Central Command said. “There were no injuries or damage reported.”
The post reiterated an earlier warning that “The Houthis will bear the responsibility for the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, or the free flow of commerce in the region’s critical waterways.”
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) office said it received a report of an “incident” approximately 50 nautical miles west of Al Hudaydah. An update from the UKMTO said there had been multiple reports of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) activity in the area.
As it is said coalition forces are responding, no injuries or damage reported.
As informed, Singapore will also participate, among other countries, in the multinational “Operation Prosperity Guardian” under the ambit of “Combined Task Force 153: Red Sea Maritime Security.”
The new multinational security initiative, US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian, will work under the umbrella of the Combined Maritime Forces and the leadership of its Task Force 153, which focuses on security in the Red Sea.
Houthi Attack on International Shipping
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 10, 2024
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