The US and British naval forces reported intercepting 21 drones and missiles fired by Yemen’s Houthis in the southern Red Sea on Wednesday, marking the group’s 26th attack on maritime trade routes in the past seven weeks.
The US military’s Central Command, along with UK forces, claimed to have shot down 18 drones, two anti-ship cruise missiles and an anti-ship ballistic missile.
The UN Security Council is voting on January 10 on a resolution condemning and calling for an immediate halt to Yemeni Houthi attacks on merchant and commercial ships in the Red Sea area.
The proposed resolution seeks the immediate release of the Galaxy Leader, the first ship seized by the Houthis in November. US Central Command claimed on Wednesday:
“Iranian-backed Huthis launched a complex attack of Iranian designed one-way attack UAVs… anti-ship cruise missiles, and an anti-ship ballistic missile from Huthi-controlled areas of Yemen into the Southern Red Sea.”
At the same time, the UKTMO (United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations) stated:
Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity.
An Iranian-backed militant group claimed the Red Sea attacks were a response to Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip. At least 23,210 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its military advance on October 7, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The Houthis said they would carry on the attacks until Israel ended its war on Gaza.
