Three attack drones of Houthi rebels were shot down by the American forces near the commercial ships in the Red Sea on Friday (Feb 23), hours after the United States warned of an environmental disaster from the cargo ship, which was hit by Houthi rebels. 
 
The US military said that they downed three attack drones and even destroyed seven anti-ship cruise missiles, which were positioned on land. 
 
For months, Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis have been targeting shipping and their attacks&nbsp;remain&nbsp;persistent despite American and British armies making&nbsp;repeated strikes with the aim of degrading the ability of rebels to threaten an important global trade route. 
 
Early on Friday (Feb 23), US forces "shot down three Huthi one-way attack (drones) near several commercial ships operating in the Red Sea. There was no damage to any ships," said the Central Command (CENTCOM), on&nbsp;social media. 
 
In a statement, issued after hours, CENTCOM claimed that US forces destroyed "seven Iranian-backed Huthi mobile anti-ship cruise missiles that were prepared to launch towards the Red Sea."

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/red-sea-crisis-houthis-use-unmanned-underwater-vessels-for-first-time-us-says-691537">Red Sea crisis: Houthis use unmanned underwater vessels for first time, says US</a>

It added that those strikes, which were carried out between 12:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Sanaa time, were launched in self-defence. 
 
"CENTCOM forces identified these missiles in Huthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined that they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and to the US Navy ships in the region," said US forces in a statement.

<h2 lang="en-US">US warns of environmental disaster</h2>

US Central Command on Friday (Feb 23) said that a cargo ship, which was abandoned in the Gulf of Aden after the Houthi rebels attacked it, was taken on water and left a huge oil slick which has increased the risk of an environmental disaster. 
 
Rubymar, which is a Lebanese-operated, Belize-flagged and British-registered cargo ship was carrying combustible fertiliser and had suffered damages in the missile strike by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. 
 
The crew members of the vessel had evacuated to Djibouti after a missile hit the ship and water entered the engine room as well as in its stern to sag, stated its operator, the Blue Fleet Group.

Watch:&nbsp;US military says Iran continues to supply arms to Houthis | Red Sea attacks can escalate

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CENTCOM stated that the ship is anchored but it has left an 18-mile oil slick. 
 
"The M/V Rubymar was transporting over 41,000 tons of fertilizer when it was attacked, which could spill into the Red Sea and worsen this environmental disaster," CENTCOM said in a post on X. 
 
The ship's operator confirmed that it is likely to get towed to Djibouti this week.

(With inputs from agencies)

Three attack drones of Houthi rebels were shot down by the American forces near the commercial ships in the Red Sea on Friday (Feb 23), hours after the United States warned of an environmental disaster from the cargo ship, which was hit by Houthi rebels.

Three attack drones of Houthi rebels were shot down by the American forces near the commercial ships in the Red Sea on Friday (Feb 23), hours after the United States warned of an environmental disaster from the cargo ship, which was hit by Houthi rebels. The US military said that they downed three attack drones and even destroyed seven anti-ship cruise missiles, which were positioned on land. For months, Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis have been targeting shipping and their attacks remain persistent despite American and British armies making repeated strikes with the aim of degrading the ability of rebels to threaten an important global trade route. Early on Friday (Feb 23), US forces "shot down three Huthi one-way attack (drones) near several commercial ships operating in the Red Sea. There was no damage to any ships," said the Central Command (CENTCOM), on social media. In a statement, issued after hours, CENTCOM claimed that US forces destroyed "seven Iranian-backed Huthi mobile anti-ship cruise missiles that were prepared to launch towards the Red Sea." Also Read: Red Sea crisis: Houthis use unmanned underwater vessels for first time, says US It added that those strikes, which were carried out between 12:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Sanaa time, were launched in self-defence. "CENTCOM forces identified these missiles in Huthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined that they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and to the US Navy ships in the region," said US forces in a statement. US warns of environmental disaster US Central Command on Friday (Feb 23) said that a cargo ship, which was abandoned in the Gulf of Aden after the Houthi rebels attacked it, was taken on water and left a huge oil slick which has increased the risk of an environmental disaster. Rubymar, which is a Lebanese-operated, Belize-flagged and British-registered cargo ship was carrying combustible fertiliser and had suffered damages in the missile strike by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The crew members of the vessel had evacuated to Djibouti after a missile hit the ship and water entered the engine room as well as in its stern to sag, stated its operator, the Blue Fleet Group. Watch: US military says Iran continues to supply arms to Houthis | Red Sea attacks can escalate CENTCOM stated that the ship is anchored but it has left an 18-mile oil slick. "The M/V Rubymar was transporting over 41,000 tons of fertilizer when it was attacked, which could spill into the Red Sea and worsen this environmental disaster," CENTCOM said in a post on X. The ship's operator confirmed that it is likely to get towed to Djibouti this week. (With inputs from agencies)

US shoots three Houthi drones, hours after warning of environmental disaster from cargo ship hit by rebels

The United States military on Tuesday (Feb 6) said they launched a strike against two Houthi drones in Yemen in "self-defence" after a drone attack hit a base housing the US troops in Syria.

Taking to X, US Central Command said, "US forces identified the explosive USVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to US navy ships and merchant vessels in the region."&nbsp;

“These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer,” it added.&nbsp;

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CENTCOM Self-Defense Strikes 
 
On Feb. 5, at approximately 3:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces conducted a strike in self-defense against two Houthi explosive uncrewed surface vehicles (USV). 
 
U.S. forces identified the explosive USVs in Houthi-controlled areas of… <a href="https://t.co/WMntzJOnw6">pic.twitter.com/WMntzJOnw6</a>
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1754682282680402059?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Six Kurdish fighters were earlier killed in a drone attack at the training ground at al-Omar base in the eastern province of Deir el-Zour, Syria, said the US-backed and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/middle-east-crisis-us-carries-out-strikes-against-five-missiles-in-yemen-687077">Middle East crisis: US carries out strikes against five missiles in Yemen</a>

The group accused “Syrian regime-backed mercenaries” of launching the attack. No casualties were reported&nbsp;among the US troops.&nbsp;

This came as the United States carried out fresh strikes against a Houthi land attack cruise missile in Yemen on February 4, as per the US Central Command.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a meeting with Saudi Arabia‘s crown prince in his fifth visit to the region since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.

<h2>US admits not giving any notice of strikes to Iraq&nbsp;</h2>

The United States accepted that it did not notify the Iraqi government before carrying out the recent air strikes in the country.&nbsp;

State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel on Monday (Feb 5) accepted that the Iraqi officials were informed only after the strikes were carried out on Iranian-linked targets.

“Iraq, like every country in the region, understood that there would be a response after the deaths of our soldiers. As for this specific response on Friday, there was not a pre-notification,” said Patel, while speaking to the reporters.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;How does the US earn from wars?

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“We informed the Iraqis immediately after the strikes occurred," he said,&nbsp;

The clarification was given after White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby on Friday (Feb 2) stated that Washington had informed the Iraqi government regarding the strike in advance.

On Monday, Kirby said that he had responded to questions from the reporters with the “information that I had been provided at the time”.

“It was not as specific as it could have been, and I regret any confusion caused,” Kirby said.

“That said, we had made no secret – both to Iraqi officials and in public channels – that we would respond to the attacks on our troops. And, we did, in fact, officially notify Iraq, as appropriate with standard procedure," he added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The United States military on Tuesday (Feb 6) said they launched a strike against two Houthi drones in Yemen in "self-defence" after a drone attack hit a base housing the US troops in Syria.

The United States military on Tuesday (Feb 6) said they launched a strike against two Houthi drones in Yemen in "self-defence" after a drone attack hit a base housing the US troops in Syria. Taking to X, US Central Command said, "US forces identified the explosive USVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to US navy ships and merchant vessels in the region." “These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer,” it added. CENTCOM Self-Defense Strikes On Feb. 5, at approximately 3:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces conducted a strike in self-defense against two Houthi explosive uncrewed surface vehicles (USV). U.S. forces identified the explosive USVs in Houthi-controlled areas of… pic.twitter.com/WMntzJOnw6 — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 6, 2024 × Six Kurdish fighters were earlier killed in a drone attack at the training ground at al-Omar base in the eastern province of Deir el-Zour, Syria, said the US-backed and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Also read: Middle East crisis: US carries out strikes against five missiles in Yemen The group accused “Syrian regime-backed mercenaries” of launching the attack. No casualties were reported among the US troops. This came as the United States carried out fresh strikes against a Houthi land attack cruise missile in Yemen on February 4, as per the US Central Command. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a meeting with Saudi Arabia‘s crown prince in his fifth visit to the region since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. US admits not giving any notice of strikes to Iraq The United States accepted that it did not notify the Iraqi government before carrying out the recent air strikes in the country. State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel on Monday (Feb 5) accepted that the Iraqi officials were informed only after the strikes were carried out on Iranian-linked targets. “Iraq, like every country in the region, understood that there would be a response after the deaths of our soldiers. As for this specific response on Friday, there was not a pre-notification,” said Patel, while speaking to the reporters. Watch: How does the US earn from wars? “We informed the Iraqis immediately after the strikes occurred," he said, The clarification was given after White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby on Friday (Feb 2) stated that Washington had informed the Iraqi government regarding the strike in advance. On Monday, Kirby said that he had responded to questions from the reporters with the “information that I had been provided at the time”. “It was not as specific as it could have been, and I regret any confusion caused,” Kirby said. “That said, we had made no secret – both to Iraqi officials and in public channels – that we would respond to the attacks on our troops. And, we did, in fact, officially notify Iraq, as appropriate with standard procedure," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Middle East crisis: US strikes two Houthi drones in Yemen in 'self-defence'

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US shoots three Houthi drones, hours after warning of environmental disaster from cargo ship hit by rebels

Middle East crisis: US strikes two Houthi drones in Yemen in 'self-defence'