US and UK repel largest Houthi attack in Red Sea

The incident occurred on the evening of January 9. The Houthis launched the attack from areas of Yemen under their control along international shipping lanes.

According to the US Central Command and the UK Ministry of Defense, the Houthis launched 18 Iranian-made kamikaze drones, as well as two anti-ship cruise missiles and one anti-ship ballistic missile. All drones and missiles were shot down by the UK and US military.

The British Type 45 destroyer HMS Diamond, F-18 fighters based on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, three US aircraft carriers, and a USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, three US Arleigh Burke-class destroyers (USS Gravely (DDG 107), USS Laboon (DDG 58), USS Mason (DDG 87)).

UK Defense Minister Grant Shapps called the attack "the largest". According to him, no one was injured.

"By deploying Sea Viper missiles and guns, the destroyer Diamond destroyed several attack drones heading towards it and a commercial vessel in the area, without harming Diamond or its crew," he said.

The attack comes ahead of a UN Security Council vote scheduled for Wednesday to condemn and demand an immediate end to rebel attacks on merchant and commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea

Since November, Yemeni Houthis have continued to attack merchant ships with ties to Israel in the Red Sea. As reported, on December 16, a UK destroyer shot down a drone with a Sea Viper missile that tried to attack a merchant ship in the Red Sea.

On December 19, the Pentagon announced the launch of a special operation called Prosperity Guardian to protect ships from the Houthis. More than 20 countries have agreed to join the coalition.

The United States recently shot down 24 missiles and drones launched by militants from Yemen.