2024-01-04 23:51:00
Since late October, the Houthis have launched dozens of drones and one-way attack (DPA) missiles.
An unmanned armed surface ship launched from Houthi-controlled Yemen came within “a couple of miles” of U.S. Navy and commercial vessels in the Red Sea before detonating Thursday, just hours after the House White and a number of allied nations issued a “final warning” to the Iran-backed militia group to cease attacks or face possible military action.
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Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Navy operations in the Middle East, said it was the first time the Houthis had used an unmanned surface vessel (USV) since they began their harassment of commercial ships. in the Red Sea after the outbreak of war. Israel-Hamas War. However, they have used them in the past.
Fabian Hinz, a missile expert and researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said the U.S. vehicles are a key part of the Houthi maritime arsenal and were used during previous battles against Saudi coalition forces intervening in the Yemen war. They have been regularly used as suicide drones that explode on impact.
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Most of the Houthis’ unmanned vehicles are likely assembled in Yemen, but they are often equipped with Iranian-made components, such as computerized guidance systems, Hinz said.
Since late October, the Houthis have launched dozens of drones and one-way attack missiles against commercial ships transiting the Red Sea. US Navy warships also intercepted ballistic missiles that the Pentagon said were headed toward Israel. Cooper said U.S. warships have shot down a total of 61 missiles and drones.
Most of the Houthis’ unmanned vehicles are likely assembled in Yemen, but they are often equipped with components made in Iran (REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah/File Photo)
In response to the Houthi attacks, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in December announced Operation Prosperity Guardian, in which the United States and other countries sent additional ships to the southern Red Sea to provide protection for commercial vessels passing through the narrow critic of Bab el-Mandeb.
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Cooper said 1,500 commercial ships have been able to transit safely since the operation was launched on December 18.
However, the Houthis have continued to launch missiles and attack drones, prompting the White House and 12 allies to issue what amounted to a final warning on Wednesday to cease their attacks on vessels in the Red Sea or face possible action. selective military.
Cooper said Operation Prosperity Guardian was exclusively defensive in nature and separate from any military action the United States might take if Houthi attacks continue.
The United States, the United Kingdom and France are providing most of the warships now, and Greece and Denmark will also provide ships, he said.
(With information from AP)
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