CENTCOM Shoots Down Four Missiles and Four Drones from Iranian-Backed Houthis

On Friday, March 9, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced via social media platform 'X' that during defensive operations between 3:35 PM and 4:55 PM local time in Sanaa on Thursday, it destroyed four anti-ship cruise missiles and one drone in Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. CENTCOM also stated, 'In addition, during this time frame, CENTCOM forces shot down three drones launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen towards the Gulf of Aden.' According to CENTCOM, these defensive operations are aimed at protecting freedom of navigation and making international waters safer for U.S. naval forces and commercial ships. General Michael Kurilla, CENTCOM's senior commander, stated during a Senate Armed Services Committee meeting on Thursday that the Islamic Republic has turned the Middle East into a 'hotbed of crises' and that the key to deterrence is for Tehran to understand that this behavior has severe consequences for it. General Kurilla pointed to the destructive actions of the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea and the killing of three sailors in their attack on a ship in that sea on Wednesday, saying, 'The U.S. economy relies on the safe transit of commercial shipping through the Red Sea, and since 30% of total maritime trade occurs through these waterways, the navies of 24 countries are engaged in joint operations to protect container and oil tankers in the Red Sea.' He further noted the ongoing Houthi attacks despite naval patrols and airstrikes from Washington and London, labeling the group's use of inexpensive drones as a particular threat, and urged Congress to approve an additional $530 million budget to provide CENTCOM with powerful microwave systems and relatively inexpensive 'Coyote' interceptors to counter these drones. Houthi militants in Yemen, supported by the Islamic Republic, have repeatedly attacked international commercial ships in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea with missiles and drones since early November under the pretext of supporting Palestinians. President Joe Biden ordered on January 10 that U.S. military forces lead a coalition of countries including Britain, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands for the first round of airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen. The global coalition led by CENTCOM has conducted four rounds of defensive strikes against the Houthis in Yemen so far. In a joint statement from the coalition after the fourth round of attacks, it was stated: 'Over 45 Houthi attacks on commercial ships and naval forces have posed a threat to the global economy and regional security and stability since November, necessitating an international response. Our coalition of aligned countries remains committed to protecting freedom of navigation and international trade and holding the Houthis accountable for their illegal and unjustifiable attacks on commercial ships and naval forces.' The fourth joint attack by the U.S. and the coalition targeted at least eighteen sites. The coalition forces stated: 'We will not hesitate to defend human lives and the free flow of trade.' The British Maritime Agency reported an increase in drone activity in the Red Sea. The U.S. destroyed two vessels and three Houthi cruise missiles. The U.S. targeted several unmanned moving missiles and vessels of the Houthis. U.S. forces destroyed three Houthi missiles. Reports indicate that Iranian proxy attacks have decreased following the deaths of three American soldiers.