A significant attack by the Houthi group in the Red Sea was successfully thwarted on Tuesday night by the US Navy and the UK's Royal Navy.
The US and UK forces effectively destroyed 18 one-way drones and tIKree missiles that were aimed at commercial ships.
According to Centcom's report on X, the incident unfolded at approximately 9:15 p.m. local time.
Us, UK Shoot Down Houthi Drones, Missiles
The Houthis deployed a series of drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, all of which were described as having been designed by Iran. Centcom has reported that the weapons were launched from areas in Yemen under Houthi control.
On Tuesday night, Centcom stated that the Houthi missiles and drones were aimed at an area through which numerous merchant vessels were passing.
Since November 19, the Houthis have carried out 26 attacks on shipping lanes in the Red Sea. Their most recent target was the Galaxy Leader, a vehicle carrier traveling from Turkey to India.
The group claimed responsibility for initiating the attacks, citing their opposition to Israel's military actions in Gaza.
The operation involved fighter jets from the Dwight D Eisenhower aircraft carrier and four destroyers, including one from the UK. There were no injuries or damage reported.
Last month, the US established an international maritime coalition to address the attacks. As a result, certain shipping lines have opted for the longer sea route around southern Africa, bypassing the Red Sea entirely.
The Houthis have expressed their determination to persist with their attacks until a resolution is reached regarding the conflict in Gaza.
A drone launched from Yemen was successfully intercepted by US forces over the weekend. Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of US naval forces in the Middle East, reported that the Houthis had recently deployed an explosives-laden sea drone in shipping lanes, marking a significant development in the ongoing conflict.
Red Sea Tensions
According to Cooper, numerous countries have affiliations with ships that have been targeted, although the Houthis claim they are specifically aiming for vessels linked to Israel.
During the hijacking incident, the Galaxy Leader, which was under the operation of the Japanese shipping line NYK, had a crew consisting mostly of individuals from the Philippines. It is worth noting that the vessel was ultimately owned by a company associated with an Israeli businessman. No other vessels have shown any apparent connections to Israel.
A draft resolution condemning the attacks on merchant shipping in the Red Sea and calling for an immediate end to such actions, as well as the release of the Galaxy Leader and its crew, is scheduled for a vote on January 10 at the United Nations Security Council in New York.
During a recent security council briefing, Japan's UN envoy, Yamazaki Kazuyuki, expressed strong condemnation over the armed seizure and ongoing detention of the Galaxy Leader and its crew. The envoy conveyed Japan's deep outrage regarding this matter.
"There is absolutely no justification for accepting such an unfair situation, and we firmly insist on the immediate and unconditional release of the Galaxy Leader and its crew," he stated firmly.
In October, a conflict broke out in Gaza after an armed group launched a surprise attack across the border, resulting in the loss of 1,139 lives in Israel. Since Israel initiated its assault, the death toll in Gaza has tragically reached 23,210.
