Red Sea (South24)

The United States (US) Central Command announced today that the US Navy had intercepted several drone attacks in the Red Sea, launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.

In a post on X, US Central Command said: “On the morning of November 23 (Yemen time), the US ship USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) shot down several attack drones launched from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen .”

The statement confirmed that the drones had been intercepted, adding: “The drones were shot down while the U.S. warship was on patrol in the Red Sea. The ship and crew sustained no damage or injury.” 

This incident is the fourth military confrontation between the Houthi militia and US military since the US Navy intercepted drones and cruise missiles launched by the Houthis over the Red Sea on October 19th.

On November 8th, the Houthis shot down an American MQ9 drone used for monitoring and reconnaissance missions, which they accused of flying over Yemeni territorial waters. The Pentagon later acknowledged this version of events.

On November 15th, the US Navy announced that it had shot down a drone in the Red Sea that was launched from Yemen. This incident occurred just one day after Houthi leader Abdulmalik Al-Houthi lambasted the US in a speech on Yemeni TV. 

Related: Houthi leader demands land crossing to fight Israel 

Yesterday, the Houthi militia announced that it had launched “a barrage of cruise missiles” at several military targets in the Israeli city of Eilat on the Red Sea. The Israeli Defense Forces had earlier reported that one of its fighter jets shot down a single cruise missile before it entered Israeli territory.

Since the start of the Israeli-Palestinian war on October 7th, the Iranian-backed Houthi militia has instigated a military escalation involving several missile and drone attacks towards Israel, and the hijacking of a cargo ship in the Red Sea allegedly linked to Israel on Sunday.

Observers warn that the ongoing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea will lead to an American military intervention, especially if the attacks lead to the injury or death of any American soldiers.

Related: The Dangerous Houthis Escalation in the Red Sea