A significant military operation unfolded over the Red Sea this weekend, with U.S. and British naval forces engaging and neutralizing a series of suspected attack drones.
The U.S. warship USS Carney and the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond played crucial roles in these defensive actions, as reported by the British and American militaries.
U.S. and UK Naval response to drone threats
The USS Carney successfully intercepted 14 unmanned aerial systems launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, as announced by the U.S. Central Command.
This operation, which resulted in no reported damages or injuries, was shared on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
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HMS Diamond’s first aerial engagement since 1991
Separately, HMS Diamond, a Royal Navy destroyer, used a Sea Viper missile to destroy a drone targeting commercial shipping.
UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps highlighted this as the Royal Navy’s first aerial target engagement since the 1991 Gulf War.
Houthi rebels escalating maritime attacks
Yemen’s Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have intensified their offensive actions in the Red Sea, a critical global shipping lane.
Their targets have included Israel and commercial vessels, with a series of drone and missile attacks. Shapps emphasized the direct threat these actions pose to international commerce and maritime security, reiterating the UK’s commitment to protecting global trade.
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Regional deployment and growing threats
HMS Diamond was dispatched to the region as a deterrent, joining forces from the United States, France, and other nations.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas, also backed by Iran, has seen global shipping becoming increasingly targeted.
Houthi claims of drone attacks on the Israeli port city of Eilat and the downing of a flying object near Egypt’s Dahab indicate a broadening scope of maritime conflict.
Shippers suspend Red Sea operations due to escalating risks
The escalation has led significant shipping companies to take precautionary measures.
CMA CGM Group paused its vessels in the Red Sea, while Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd announced halts for ships planning to navigate the Bab el-Mandeb Strait after recent missile attacks.
These decisions underscore the heightened risk in the region for commercial shipping.
Houthi spokesman’s statement and ongoing conflict
Mohammed Abdel-Salam, a Houthi spokesman, acknowledged ongoing discussions with international parties facilitated by Oman regarding their maritime attacks.
He declared on X that the Houthis would persist in targeting Israel-linked vessels until specific conditions are met, including the cessation of aggression and the lifting of the Gaza siege.
He also noted that humanitarian efforts in Palestine and Gaza could reduce escalation.
US and UK warships counter Houthi drone threats
The recent actions of U.S. and UK warships in the Red Sea against Houthi-launched drones mark a significant chapter in the ongoing maritime conflict in the region.
With commercial shipping increasingly at risk, this confrontation underscores the complex dynamics of regional security and the global trade implications of continued instability.
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