US shoots down five drones over Red Sea
Illustrative photo (Facebook)
American military destroyed five enemy drones over the Red Sea, according to the US Central Command.
"Between 1:48 and 2:27 a.m. (Sanaa time), April 28, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) successfully engaged five airborne unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) over the Red Sea," the statement said.
It is emphasized that the drones posed an immediate threat to US, coalition, and merchant vessels in the region.
"These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels," the statement said.
Houthi attacks in the Red Sea
Since November 2023, Shiite Houthi rebels supported by Iran, who control parts of Yemen, have been carrying out regular attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, the Aden, and Bab-el-Mandeb straits using drones and missiles. These attacks are a protest against Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip against the Hamas group.
As a result of the attacks, many Western carriers have been forced to reroute their vessels on longer and more expensive routes around South Africa, fearing an escalation of the conflict from Gaza across the entire Middle East.
Prior to that, the Houthis claimed to have shot down an American MQ-9 drone over Yemen. In response, American forces destroyed a surface drone and a drone in areas controlled by the Houthis.
The situation remains tense, and it is unknown how long the Houthi attacks will continue and the corresponding actions of the United States.
