The United States Central Command, CENTCOM, announced that coalition forces' fighter jets and a naval vessel shot down five suicide drones (kamikaze) belonging to the Iran-backed Houthi group in the Red Sea on the evening of Tuesday, March 8, local time. In a statement released on Wednesday morning, March 9, CENTCOM indicated that its forces identified the drones launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. The statement added that CENTCOM forces determined that the drones posed an imminent threat to commercial vessels, the U.S. Navy, and coalition ships in the region. CENTCOM emphasized that these actions protect freedom of navigation and consider their destruction as part of safeguarding maritime freedom and making international waters safer for vessels in the area. Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden have disrupted a route that constitutes about 12% of global maritime traffic, forcing shipping companies to take longer and more expensive routes around Africa. The group, which controls Sana'a, the capital, and parts of Yemen, has stated that these attacks are conducted in support of Hamas in Gaza, with both groups being militia organizations backed by the Islamic Republic. The United States established Operation 'Guardian of Prosperity' at the end of last year to counter the Houthi threat to free shipping in the Red Sea and protect vessels in the region, consisting of about 20 countries. Additionally, the United States and the United Kingdom have targeted Houthi military positions in Yemen multiple times. A session was held to inform the captain of a vessel carrying missile equipment from the Islamic Republic for the Houthis in Yemen. CENTCOM reported that the Houthi missile attack on an American ship caused no damage and announced the thwarting of Houthi drone and missile attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The fourth joint attack by the U.S. and the coalition targeted at least eighteen locations.
CENTCOM: 5 Houthi Suicide Drones Shot Down in the Red Sea
CENTCOM reported the downing of five Houthi suicide drones in the Red Sea, which were deemed a threat to commercial shipping and U.S. naval forces. The Houthis, backed by Iran, claim these attacks support Hamas in Gaza. This incident underscores ongoing tensions in the region and the importance of maritime security.
👥 Key Players
⚡ Actions
📰 What Happened
CENTCOM shot down 5 Houthi suicide drones in the Red Sea, posing a threat to maritime security.
- U.S. Central Command announce Houthi group
- U.S. and coalition forces attack Houthi drones
- Houthi group conduct commercial vessels
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The incident highlights the ongoing threat posed by Iranian-backed militias to international maritime security.
📝 Key Evidence
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%