CENTCOM: Four Houthi Drones Shot Down Over the Red Sea

The United States Central Command, CENTCOM, stated in a release that the American destroyer USS Laboon, which was patrolling the Red Sea, shot down four drones launched from Houthi-controlled territory towards international shipping lanes. According to CENTCOM, there were no damages or casualties reported. The statement also mentioned that two anti-ship ballistic missiles were fired from Houthi-controlled Yemen towards international shipping lines in the Red Sea, but there are no reports of them striking any vessels in the area. CENTCOM responded to distress calls from two ships that were attacked around 8 PM Yemen time on Friday. Additionally, a Norwegian-flagged chemical tanker reported that it was targeted by an attacking drone, but the drone did not hit the vessel. CENTCOM also reported a Houthi drone attack on a crude oil tanker from Gabon, flagged in India, adding that this attack also resulted in no casualties or damages. The Iran-backed Houthis, who control the capital and parts of Yemen, have disrupted global trade for weeks by attacking ships passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea. The Houthis have claimed they are targeting ships in support of the Iran-backed militant group Hamas. The United States and several countries have formed a coalition to protect freedom of navigation in the region and passing vessels, with over 20 countries reportedly joining, according to the Pentagon. Some countries in this coalition have stated that operations to protect commercial vessels will be part of maritime agreements. According to General Pat Ryder, Pentagon spokesperson, coalition forces are patrolling the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to respond to commercial vessels passing through this vital international waterway and assist them against Houthi attacks if necessary.