Continued Houthi Attacks and CENTCOM Response in the Red Sea; At Least Ten Houthi Drones Destroyed

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that on Monday, February 19, and Tuesday, February 20, in response to Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, it destroyed more than 10 drones and one anti-ship cruise missile belonging to the rebel group. According to a report from CENTCOM on Tuesday, American aircraft and warships, along with coalition forces, destroyed 10 Houthi drones in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden between 8 PM on February 19 and 12:30 PM on February 20. Additionally, at midnight on February 20, the USS Laboon identified and shot down an anti-ship cruise missile that had been launched towards the ship. On Monday, February 19, between 12:30 PM and 1:50 PM, two anti-ship ballistic missiles were launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen towards a grain cargo ship named 'Champion,' which flies the Greek flag and is owned by the United States, in the Gulf of Aden, causing minor damage but resulting in no casualties. The ship continued its planned route to deliver grain to Aden, Yemen. Around 5 PM on Monday, CENTCOM forces identified and destroyed a surface-to-air missile launcher in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. Another anti-ship ballistic missile was launched at 6:40 PM but did not hit any vessels in the area. At 7:20 PM on Monday, a drone attacked a bulk carrier named 'Fortuna,' which flies the Marshall Islands flag and is owned by the United States, resulting in minor damage but no casualties. This ship also continued its journey towards Italy. At 8:15 PM on February 19, CENTCOM forces destroyed a drone in western Yemen that was prepared to attack vessels in the Red Sea. CENTCOM stated that the destroyed drones and missile systems were identified as imminent threats to naval and commercial vessels in the region, and this action aimed to protect navigation rights and freedoms and make international waters safer for the U.S. Navy and commercial vessels. A few days prior, the U.S. Treasury Department announced that it had once again placed the Houthis on the list of 'specially designated global terrorists' due to their attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea since Friday, February 17. The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have targeted commercial vessels in the Red Sea with missile and drone attacks under the pretext of supporting Palestinians following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. These attacks have prompted several shipping companies to halt passage through the Red Sea and choose the longer and more expensive route around the African continent. For the first time, the U.S. destroyed an Iranian-backed Houthi 'unmanned underwater vehicle.' CENTCOM reported the destruction of the militants' weapons; the continuation of Houthi missile launches in the Red Sea. The Wall Street Journal reported that the Islamic Republic has become one of the largest exporters of cheap weapons. A senior U.S. commander in the Middle East stated that the IRGC operates 'shoulder to shoulder with the Houthis' in Yemen. The seizure of a ship carrying Iranian weapons for the Houthi militants; CENTCOM attacked Houthi positions. A missile attack on a ship in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Monday; the Houthis are the main suspects.