In a continuing series of incidents, the United States Navy successfully intercepted another uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) believed to have been launched from Yemen in the southern Red Sea on Dec. 6. This article delves into the details of the encounter and its implications.
Officials from the Office of the Secretary of Defense of the U.S. Department of Defense have confirmed this recent incident.
The drone was shot down at approximately 10:20 a.m. local time over the southern Red Sea by the USS Mason, a guided-missile destroyer of the Arleigh-Burke Class.
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Credit: DepositPhotos
The USS Mason’s Response
The spokesperson stated, “We can confirm the USS Mason shot down an uncrewed aerial vehicle originating from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen at 10:20 a.m. (Yemen time) Dec. 6 in the southern Red Sea.” Fortunately, there were no reported damages or injuries to U.S. equipment or personnel.
Houthi Involvement
This incident is another in a series involving the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels, who have recently become embroiled in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The insurgents have claimed responsibility for launching ballistic missiles and one-way drones in the direction of Israel and have also targeted vessels in critical shipping lanes.
Previous Attacks on Commercial Ships
This latest development follows an earlier statement by the U.S. military’s Central Command on Dec. 3.
The statement revealed that Iran-backed Houthi rebels had carried out multiple rocket attacks on commercial ships operating in international waters in the southern Red Sea. The Red Sea is a crucial trade route for shipping and transferring energy supplies.
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International Impact
These attacks affected four commercial vessels connected to 14 separate nations. On patrol in the Red Sea, the Arleigh-Burke Class destroyer USS Carney responded to distress calls from the ships and successfully defended against some of the rocket attacks.
The Chronology of Events
The incidents unfolded in a series of events:
- At around 9:15 a.m. local time, an anti-ship ballistic missile was fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the M/V Unity Explorer, a Bahamas-flagged, UK-owned bulk cargo ship crewed by sailors from two nations. The missile impacted “in the vicinity of the vessel.”
- At approximately noon local time, the USS Carney intercepted and shot down a UAV launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. While the specific target of the drone isn’t clear, it was heading toward the USS Carney.
- Additional attacks on UK-owned and operated ships were reported on the same day, with missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.
- Later that day, the Unity Explorer was struck by a rocket in a separate incident. During the response to the distress call, the USS Carney shot down another incoming drone. Fortunately, the Unity Explorer sustained only minor damage from the missile.
International Concerns
The U.S. military’s Central Command has raised concerns about these attacks, emphasizing that they directly threaten international commerce and maritime security.
The raids have endangered the lives of crews from various countries and are believed to be facilitated by Iran.
It’s worth noting that Iran has denied any involvement in these attacks or actions against U.S. forces. Despite Iran’s denial, the international community remains vigilant about the evolving situation in the Red Sea region.
Conclusion
The recent interception of a drone launched from Yemen by the USS Mason underscores the ongoing security challenges in the southern Red Sea.
As the U.S. military continues to monitor the situation, international concerns grow over the impact of these attacks on maritime security and global commerce.
The role of Iran in these incidents remains a subject of international scrutiny and debate.
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