US intercepts wave of Houthi drones as Red Sea shipping attacks continue
▶ Five self-detonating drones were launched at commercial vessels amid further strikes from naval coalition
US forces intercepted five Houthi drone boats and one flying attack drone in the Red Sea on Saturday, while a missile narrowly missed a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Aden yesterday.
The US Central Command, the US military headquarters in the Middle East, confirmed the attacks yesterday morning, saying that air strikes on Houthi positions struck another drone before it was launched.
There were no casualties in the attack on the unidentified civilian vessel, the UK Maritime Trade Organisation said.
An explosion was reported near a ship in the Gulf of Aden.
The UKMTO said the vessel’s crew saw the blast as it passed off the coast of Aden. “No damage to the vessel has been reported and the crew are reported safe,” the UKMTO said.
The US and UK, supported by several allies including Canada, Australia and Bahrain, have led air strikes on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen since January 12 as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, which aims to stop a blockade in the Red Sea. Ships in the area carry about 12 per cent of global trade.
A separate but co-ordinated operation, Aspides, led by the EU, aims to intercept missiles and drones. Houthi attacks have fluctuated in size from dozens of drones and missiles to one or two projectiles, as the
US and Britain increasingly attack launch sites, rather than expending interceptor missiles that can cost several million dollars each to hit drones.
However, a wave of five self-detonating drone boats will cause concern for coalition ships as they are difficult to detect under conditions other than calm waters.
Such exchanges have become frequent in the area, increasing shipping insurance costs and prompting many firms to detour around South Africa.
On Thursday, rebel leader Abdul Malik Al Houthi said the group would expand its attacks to ships taking the longer route around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. The group has launched 40 attacks on commercial and military shipping in the Red Sea since November 19, damaging 35 vessels.
This month, an attack on the commercial ship True Confidence killed three sailors, the only fatal strike to date.
Another vessel, the Rubymar, sank after a rebel attack.
The vessel was filled with 21,000 tonnes of fertiliser, sparking fears of an environmental disaster in the Red Sea. It was the first ship to sink after a Houthi strike.
The Iran-backed rebels claim their attacks are aimed at ships linked to Israel and its allies, and intended to put pressure on Israel to halt its campaign in Gaza.
US Central Command confirmed an air strike on Houthi positions struck another drone before it was launched