US Army Reports Destruction of 12 Houthi Drones

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Saturday, February 3, that it had shot down 12 Houthi drones during three rounds of attacks. According to the CENTCOM statement, the USS Carney destroyer downed one drone on Friday, February 2, around 10:30 AM local time over the Gulf of Aden. CENTCOM added that around 4:40 PM on Friday, US forces conducted strikes against four drones in Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, destroying them. The statement noted that these drones posed an 'imminent threat' to commercial vessels and US Navy ships in the region, and the attacks were conducted in self-defense. Finally, at 9:20 PM on Friday night, the USS Laboon destroyer and F/A-18 fighters from the Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier shot down seven drones over the Red Sea. The CENTCOM statement further indicated that this attack also resulted in no financial losses or casualties, and the US action was aimed at protecting freedom of navigation and making international waters safer for US Navy ships and commercial vessels. The Israeli army also announced that its Arrow air defense system successfully intercepted a ground-to-ground missile fired towards Israeli territory over the Red Sea. Additionally, on Thursday, February 2, CENTCOM stated that it had thwarted at least three sabotage attempts by Iran-backed Houthis in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Multiple Houthi attacks in the Red Sea prompted the US and Britain to conduct airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. These attacks have disrupted international trade on the shortest shipping route between Europe and Asia, forcing some shipping companies to reroute their vessels. The US believes that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has assisted in planning and executing the Houthi missile and drone attacks, but the Islamic Republic denies any involvement. Meanwhile, Reuters reported that commanders from the Revolutionary Guard and Hezbollah are present in Yemen, aiding Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, which the Houthis have denied. The US has announced that it will add the Houthis to its list of terrorist organizations in response to their attacks. Lloyd Austin, the US Secretary of Defense, stated on February 2 at a press conference that the ongoing threats from Iran-backed militia groups, including Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, represent a 'dangerous' moment in the Middle East. Austin said that while efforts are being made to prevent wider conflict, any necessary actions will be taken to defend US interests and people, responding in a manner and time of their choosing. Josep Borrell announced the EU mission in the Red Sea to protect commercial vessels from Houthi attacks. The extensive deployment of Indian naval ships near the Red Sea is aimed at combating piracy. Denmark is joining the US-led coalition in the Red Sea. A British warship destroyed a Houthi drone supported by the Islamic Republic. The US has once again urged China to convince the Islamic Republic to reduce Houthi attacks. A fire on a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden has been extinguished. The Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that the US goal in the Red Sea is solely to deter the Houthis, not to escalate tensions. Houthi attacks on vessels continue, with reports of two missiles exploding near the port of Aden. CENTCOM: An American destroyer shot down a missile from the Iran-backed Houthis.