2023-12-27 16:59:00
How US military team fights Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping
Yahya Sare’e speaks in Sana’a, Yemen, on December 15. Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images
American warships in the Red Sea have been battling a growing number of weapons fired by Houthi forces in Yemen over the past few weeks, including 17 drones and missiles over a 10-hour period this Tuesday alone.
Yahya Sare’e, spokesman for the Houthi forces, said on X, formerly Twitter, that the latest launches were in “continued support and solidarity with the Palestinian people.” The group had previously said it was attacking ships heading to Israel following the invasion of Gaza by Israeli forces.
The Iran-backed Houthis launched at least 100 attacks against 14 different commercial and merchant vessels in the Red Sea over the past month, a senior US military official said last week.
The attacks prompted US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to announce the formation of a coalition of at least 10 countries to focus on security in the Red Sea.
The coalition involves member ships being available near the Red Sea to respond to attacks. One of the goals of the initiative was to deter future Houthi attacks, but the militants have nonetheless continued to attack ships operating near Yemen.
The Red Sea is home to one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes and the attacks have had far-reaching repercussions. At least 44 countries are connected to ships attacked by the Houthis and the attacks have disrupted international trade generally.
The 17 drones and missiles launched by the Houthis on Tuesday were shot down with weapons carried by the guided missile destroyer USS Laboon and by F/A-18 fighter jets taking off from the aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower, US Central Command said.
The US Navy has not said exactly what weapons its ships are using against Houthi attacks, but analysts said a US destroyer has a variety of weapons systems at its disposal.
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