Barran Press
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported on Monday, July 15th, 2024, that it had received a report of an incident 70 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah city (western Yemen).
The agency stated in a statement that the captain of a commercial vessel reported being attacked by three small boats, two of which carried three individuals each, and the third being a drone.
The statement indicated that the remotely piloted boat launched towards the vessel, prompting the ship to activate its self-defense measures. After 15 minutes, the drone attack was aborted, and the ship and its crew were confirmed safe. The vessel is now heading towards its next port.
Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced early Monday, July 15th, that it had destroyed two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and a drone belonging to the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization by the international community, in the Red Sea region over the past few hours.
In a statement posted on the X platform, CENTCOM stated that it had also destroyed a Houthi drone in areas under its control.
The statement highlighted that the UAVs and drones posed an imminent threat to the United States, coalition forces, and commercial vessels in the region. It emphasized that CENTCOM is taking all necessary measures to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure.
Since last November, the internationally designated terrorist group, the Houthis, have continued their 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 opt for 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. American forces have been carrying out strikes against Houthi military targets on an intermittent basis.
Since January 12th, the number of US and British airstrikes against the Houthis on the ground has reached approximately 560, resulting in the deaths of 58 individuals and injuries to 86 others, according to the group's own admission.
The internationally recognized Yemeni government maintains that Western airstrikes are ineffective in neutralizing the Houthi threat to navigation. It argues that the most effective solution is to support its armed forces to recapture Hodeidah and its ports, as well as other areas under Houthi control.
Despite the group's continued adoption of more maritime attacks, no serious incidents or injuries to ships have been recorded, except for three out of 162 ships that the group claims to have targeted since last November.