The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, that its forces had destroyed three unmanned surface vessels (USVs) belonging to the Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.

In a brief statement posted on X, CENTCOM stated that the USVs were destroyed within the past 24 hours, but did not specify the location of the incident. The statement described the USVs as "posing an imminent threat to US forces, coalition forces, and commercial vessels in the region."

CENTCOM emphasized that it took these "actions to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure."

Since November 2023, the Houthis, designated as a terrorist group by several countries, have continued launching attacks using missiles and drones against commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. These attacks have led to increased maritime insurance costs and forced many international shipping companies to opt for the much longer route around the southern tip of Africa.

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 on a regular basis.

Since January 12, the US and UK have conducted 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 argues that Western airstrikes are ineffective in neutralizing the Houthi threat to navigation and that the most effective solution is to support its armed forces in retaking Hodeidah and its ports, along with other areas controlled by the Houthis.

Despite the Houthis' continued maritime attacks, only three out of 162 vessels they claimed to have targeted since November have reported serious incidents or damage.