Barran Press
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Saturday, July 1st, 2024, that its forces had destroyed three Houthi drone boats in the Red Sea over the past 24 hours. The operation was conducted as a "defensive measure," according to CENTCOM.
In a statement released on X and seen by Barran Press, CENTCOM stated that the drones posed an "imminent threat" to US forces, coalition forces, and commercial vessels in the region.
Since November 2023, the Houthi group, classified as a terrorist organization by several countries, has launched missile and drone attacks against commercial ships in the Red Sea. These attacks have led to increased maritime insurance costs and prompted many shipping companies to opt for the much longer route around the southern tip of Africa.
In December 2023, the United States, a key ally of Israel, formed a multinational coalition to protect maritime navigation from attacks by the Houthi group. US forces have been conducting strikes against Houthi military targets on a regular basis.