The US and UK navies successfully intercepted and shot down more than a dozen drones and missiles launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
The attack, considered one of the largest against international shipping routes, involved Iranian kamikaze drones, anti-ship cruise missiles and anti-ship ballistic missiles launched from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen.
The US military's Central Command described the incident as a “complex attack”, revealing that F/A-18 fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and multiple US and British Navy destroyers responded promptly.
In total, 18 drones, two cruise missiles and one ballistic missile were successfully neutralized during the operation, which took place at approximately 9:15 p.m. local time on Tuesday.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKTMO), operated by the Royal Navy, reported that the location of the attack occurred 50 nautical miles west of the Yemeni port city of Al-Hudaydah, urging ships in the region to act with caution. Despite the intensity of the assault, no injuries or damage were reported.
This incident marks the 26th attack by Iranian-backed rebels against military and commercial ships in the Red Sea since November 19, as revealed by CENTCOM.
Following a stern warning from the United States and its allies to stop the attacks, the Houthi rebels continued their provocations, prompting the UN Security Council to vote on a resolution condemning the attacks and demanding an immediate end. The approval of the resolution is expected to depend on Russia's position and the possible use of its veto.
