US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced early Thursday, July 11, 2024, that its forces destroyed two drones and a drone boat belonging to the Houthi group, internationally designated as a terrorist organization, in the Red Sea over the past 24 hours.

CENTCOM, in a statement published on X (formerly Twitter) monitored by Barran Press, stated that the drones and drone boats posed an imminent threat to the United States, coalition forces, and commercial vessels in the region. The statement emphasized that these actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer.

Since last November, the Houthi group, internationally designated as a terrorist organization, has continued its attacks using missiles and drones against commercial cargo ships in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Gulf of Aden.

The group's attacks have led to increased maritime insurance costs and prompted many international shipping companies to favor the much longer route around the southern tip of the African continent.

To deter the Houthis and protect maritime navigation, the United States formed a multinational coalition in December 2023. US forces have been conducting strikes against Houthi military targets.

Since January 12, the number of US and British airstrikes against the Houthis on the ground has reached approximately 560. These strikes have resulted in the deaths of 58 individuals and injuries to 86 others, according to the group's own admission.

The internationally recognized Yemeni government argues that Western strikes are ineffective in neutralizing the Houthi threat to navigation and that the most effective solution is to support its armed forces to recapture Hodeidah and its ports, as well as other areas under the group's control.

Despite the group's continued adoption of more maritime attacks, only three out of 162 ships it claims to have targeted since last November have reported significant incidents or injuries.