US Navy Destroys Iranian UAVs And Houthi Missile In Gulf Of Aden

The USS Carney, a destroyer of the U.S. Navy, has successfully intercepted and shot down one anti-ship ballistic missile fired from Yemen toward the Gulf of Aden by Houthi terrorists supported by Iran. The missile interception took place in the Houthi-controlled regions of Yemen. Following this incident, the USS Carney encountered and brought down three Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It was unclear from the U.S. Central Command’s (CENTCOM) statement if the Iranian drones were equipped with weapons or were only being used for surveillance.

A Houthi surface-to-air missile that was considered an “imminent threat” to U.S. aircraft was struck by U.S. forces earlier that day. The missile was struck in Yemeni regions under Houthi control. The response from the U.S. military was different from earlier airstrikes, which usually aimed to weaken the Houthi rebels’ ability to pose a threat to global shipping.

Since November, the Houthi militants have been attacking ships in the Red Sea, claiming that their acts are in support of the Palestinians in Gaza. The rebels have declared American and British interests to be legitimate targets after the U.S. and U.K. military launched retaliatory strikes on Houthi locations. As a result of the ongoing attacks, tensions in the area have risen, prompting the U.S. to take action to safeguard shipping in the Red Sea, including establishing an international naval task force.

The attacks continue to occur despite political and financial pressure from the U.S., which included the Houthis’ designation as a terrorist group in January. A marine security company reported an attack on a commercial vessel southwest of Aden, though it did not identify the country of the vessel. The Houthi rebels claimed to have used naval missiles to target an American cargo ship en route to Israel.

The increased regional instability resulting from dissatisfaction over Israel’s conduct in Gaza serves as the larger backdrop for these military operations. As a result, there is now more bloodshed in the Middle East, which has led to instability and complexity in countries like Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria that receive support from Iran.

According to reports, IRGC commanders and advisors provide knowledge, information, and intelligence to pinpoint vessels that are headed for Israel and are thought to be Houthi targets. The United States claims that Iranian details are essential for Houthi attacks on ships, and it has accused Iran of having a significant role in the planning of Red Sea operations. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanaani, has continuously denied Tehran’s role in the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea despite these accusations.

Additionally, according to an Iranian insider, the Houthi rebels have been receiving military instruction on cutting-edge weaponry from the IRGC. A group of them visited Iran to receive training at one of the IRGC’s bases in central Iran. According to reports, the top IRGC commander in charge of Yemen and other Iranian commanders flew to Yemen to set up a command centre in Sanaa to coordinate the Red Sea attacks. Along with attacks against U.S. targets in Iraq and Syria, the ongoing fighting in Gaza has also resulted in conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah terrorists along the Lebanese border.

Reference: Alarabiya News, News18

US Navy Destroys Iranian UAVs And Houthi Missile In Gulf Of Aden appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News