US and UK thwart 21 missiles and drones launched by Houthi rebels from Yemen
Houthi
The US and the UK on Tuesday (Jan 9)shot down 21 missiles and drones launched by Houthi rebels from Yemen. The attack, as per reports, was one of the largest Houthi attacks to take place in the Red Sea in recent months.
Quoting two US defence officials,CNN had reported that the attack consisted of 24 missiles and drones. It also said that initial assessments indicate no harm to ships and no injuries or casualties resulting from the extensive drone and missile barrage.
As per a US Central Command (CENTCOM) statement "Iranian-backed Houthis launched a complex attack of Iranian designed one-way attack UAVs..., anti-ship cruise missiles, and an anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into the Southern Red Sea."
It further said that the drones and missiles were downed by a combination of F/A-18 warplanes operating from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier and one British and three American destroyers.
How the US carried out the strike
The US deployed three destroyers to counter and eliminate the imminent threats, said one official.
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"We can confirm a Houthi attack occurred today near the southern Red Sea. We’ll provide additional details when they’re available," said a third official, as quoted by CNN.
As a key participant in Operation Prosperity Guardian, the United States has a number of ships in the Red Sea. The operation, a multinational endeavour, has more than 20 nations collaborating to safeguard shipping in one of the world's most critical waterways.
This incident unfolds against the backdrop of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's diplomatic mission to the Middle East, where he is actively engagingin de-escalation efforts related to the Gaza conflict.
In Israel on Tuesday, Blinken told officials that Palestinians in Gaza must be allowed to return to their homes "as soon as conditions allow."
Act of solidarity?
The Houthi rebels, aligning themselves with Iran, have said that their missile and drone launches are symbolic acts of solidarity with the Palestinian people. Initial attacks, soon after the start of the Israel-Hamas war, targeted vessels with connections to Israel. However, since then, as per Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of the US Naval Central Command, most of the last dozen attacks had no connection to Israel at all.
Also read |WATCH | Biden's speech interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters calling for ceasefire in Gaza
"The impact of these attacks spreads across the globe, and as we’ve said, this is an international problem that requires an international solution," he said.
According to the US assessment, around 55 nations have direct connections to the attacked vessels.
(With inputs from agencies)
