CENTCOM Reports Destruction of Seven Houthi Drones and One Ground Control Station

The United States Central Command announced that its forces successfully destroyed seven unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) belonging to the Iranian-backed Houthis in areas controlled by the group on Friday, July 8, 1403 (June 28, 2024). CENTCOM also stated that on the same day, U.S. military forces targeted and destroyed a ground control station in Houthi-controlled areas within Yemen. According to CENTCOM, these drones and the ground control station were identified as an imminent threat to the United States, coalition forces, and commercial vessels in the region, and were attacked to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer. The U.S. Central Command reiterated that the continued malign activities of the Iranian-backed Houthis threaten regional stability and endanger the lives of mariners across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. According to Reuters, Yahya Saree, the spokesperson for the 'terrorist' Houthi group, claimed responsibility on Friday during a television program for attacks on a commercial ship in the Red Sea using ballistic missiles against the oil tanker 'Delonix' and for assaults on the 'Ioannis' ship in the Red Sea and the 'Valer' tanker and 'Johannes Maersk' in the Mediterranean Sea. However, British maritime sources reported that these attacks caused no damage or casualties. The United States designated the Houthi militia as a terrorist organization last winter. Iraqi militants targeted the port of Eilat in Israel; an attack on a ship in the Gulf of Aden. The Washington Post reported that for the Iranian government, high voter turnout in elections is important for the stability and legitimacy of the regime. The Houthis claimed to have used a 'new ballistic missile' in the attack on a cargo ship on Monday. An explosion occurred near a cargo ship in the Arabian Sea; no damage was reported. The Houthis attacked a Greek ship; CENTCOM stated that the damage to the ship and injuries to the crew were minor. Houthi militants in Yemen claimed a drone attack on four ships in Haifa port. The Houthis, supported by the Iranian government, attacked a ship in the Gulf of Aden. The U.S. military and coalition forces confronted Houthi militants; nine drones were destroyed.