Barran Press
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced early Friday that its forces had destroyed three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) belonging to the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization by the US, within the past 24 hours.
In a statement released on X (monitored by Barran Press), CENTCOM stated, "Over the past 24 hours, USCENTCOM forces successfully destroyed two Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles over the Red Sea and one drone in areas under the group's control."
The command explained that the drones posed a "clear and imminent threat to the United States, coalition forces, and commercial vessels in the region."
CENTCOM emphasized that these actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and ensure the safety and security of US, coalition, and commercial ships in international waters.
On Thursday, CENTCOM announced the destruction of a surface-to-air missile system and radar belonging to the Houthis.
Since November 2023, the Houthi group, internationally recognized as a terrorist organization, has launched attacks using missiles and drones against commercial cargo ships in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.
These 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 Africa.
To deter the Houthis, the "Guardian of Prosperity" coalition, led by the US and with significant participation from the UK, began airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen in January 2024. The Houthis have expanded their operations to target ships associated with Washington and London, as they have publicly declared.