Barran Press
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Saturday, July 27th, that it had destroyed six Houthi drones and three unmanned boats in Yemen over the past 24 hours.
In a statement released on X, seen by Barran Press", CENTCOM said its forces successfully destroyed six Houthi drones in a Houthi-controlled area in Yemen, without specifying the exact location.
The statement also confirmed the destruction of three unmanned surface vessels (drones) operating off the coast of Yemen, noting that these weapons posed a "direct threat" to U.S. forces, coalition forces, and commercial vessels in the region.
CENTCOM emphasized that these actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and enhance maritime security in international waters.
Since last November, the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, has continued to launch missile and drone attacks against commercial cargo ships in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Gulf of Aden.
These attacks have led to increased maritime insurance costs and prompted many international shipping companies to opt for the significantly longer route around the southern tip of Africa.
In December 2023, the United States formed a multinational coalition to deter Houthi attacks and protect maritime traffic. U.S. forces have been conducting strikes against Houthi military targets on a regular basis.
Since January 12th, the United States and the United Kingdom have carried out approximately 560 airstrikes against the Houthis, resulting in the deaths of 58 Houthi fighters 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 and that the most effective solution is to support Yemeni forces in retaking Hodeidah, its ports, and other areas under Houthi control.
Despite the ongoing Houthi maritime attacks, there have been no serious incidents or injuries to ships, except for three out of 162 vessels that the group claimed to have targeted since last November.