U.S. Navy Shoots Down Houthi Drone Over Red Sea

A U.S. defense official told Reuters that the U.S. Navy shot down a drone originating from Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen on Wednesday morning, December 6. This marks the sixth time U.S. forces have targeted drones in the southern Red Sea since the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas on October 7. Previously, the UK Maritime Trade Operations and a British maritime security company reported an incident involving a suspicious drone over the Red Sea west of the port of Hudaydah in Yemen. The UK Maritime Trade Operations warned vessels passing through the area to exercise caution. A U.S. defense official, who requested anonymity, stated that no damage was inflicted on U.S. Navy ships or personnel during this attack. Additionally, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that Houthi attacks in the region are fully activated by the Iranian government. The U.S. military announced on Sunday, December 3, that three commercial vessels were attacked in the southern Red Sea. The Houthis claimed responsibility for drone and missile attacks on two vessels they alleged were Israeli, stating that these attacks were a response to Yemeni demands and calls for Islamic countries to stand with the Palestinians. CENTCOM wrote on its Persian account on X (formerly Twitter) regarding the attacks on these three commercial vessels: 'We believe based on multiple reasons that these attacks, while carried out by Houthis in Yemen, are fully activated by the Iranian regime.' Britain condemned the recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and accused the Islamic Republic of Iran of being responsible for these attacks due to its support for Houthi militants. The Islamic Republic denied any involvement in attacks against U.S. forces, claiming there is no evidence. Britain stated that the Islamic Republic is responsible for Houthi attacks on commercial vessels. The Pentagon confirmed that a U.S. warship and several commercial vessels were attacked in the Red Sea. A detailed report from the U.S. State Department stated that the Islamic Republic has been the largest supporter of terrorism in the world for the past forty years.