Military forces from the United States, France, and the United Kingdom thwarted drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Saturday, the US military said in a statement. The assaults targeted the bulk carrier Propel Fortune, along with US destroyers, sparking a robust international military response.
The Houthis, who are aligned with Iran, have escalated their maritime attacks since November, expressing solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. In a televised announcement, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea claimed the use of 37 drones against both the cargo vessel and several US warships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
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The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that allied forces successfully intercepted at least 28 unmanned aerial vehicles early Saturday, with no damage to coalition naval vessels or commercial shipping reported. The operation took place between 4 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. local time, addressing what CENTCOM described as an “imminent threat” to merchant and military ships in the area.
In parallel efforts, a French warship and fighter jets neutralized four combat drones approaching naval vessels that were taking part in Operation Aspides, safeguarding the cargo ship True Confidence and other nearby commercial ships. The UK’s HMS Richmond also played a crucial role, downing two Houthi drones with Sea Ceptor missiles.
The attacks mark a concerning uptick in hostilities affecting vital maritime routes, highlighted by a missile strike on the Greek-operated True Confidence, which resulted in the first civilian casualties since the Houthis began their aggressive campaign. The UK Maritime Trade Operations noted an attempted assault on the Singapore-flagged Propel Fortune, attributing the targeting to outdated US ownership records.