American and French military forces took down numerous drones in the Red Sea over the weekend after Yemen's Houthi rebels, who are aligned with Iran, launched an assault on the bulk carrier Propel Fortune and U.S. destroyers in the Gulf of Aden.
Since November, the Houthis have been targeting ships in the Red Sea, claiming it as a show of support for Palestinians amidst the conflict in Gaza.
Yahya Sarea, the group's military spokesperson, stated in a televised address on Saturday that they had aimed 37 drones at the cargo vessel and several U.S. warships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that American Navy ships and aircraft had successfully intercepted 15 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operated by the Houthis in the Red Sea area. According to CENTCOM's social media post, the military reacted to a significant attack launched by the group between 4 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. local time.
The statement emphasized that these drones posed an immediate threat to merchant vessels, U.S. Navy, and coalition ships in the vicinity.
Additionally, a French warship and fighter jets thwarted four combat drones approaching naval vessels belonging to the European Aspides mission in the region, as per a French army statement. The action was deemed defensive and aimed at protecting the cargo ship True Confidence, flagged under Barbados, which had been hit on March 6 and was under tow, along with other commercial vessels transiting the area.
France has naval presence in the area, along with warplanes stationed in Djibouti and the United Arab Emirates.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed an attempted attack on the Singapore-flagged Propel Fortune. The shipping company reported two explosions near the bulk carrier, but all crew members were unharmed, and the ship continued its voyage to the next port.
According to UKMTO's statement, Propel Fortune was likely targeted due to outdated ownership data linked to the United States.
Sarea reiterated the Houthis' intent to persist with their attacks until the perceived aggression ends and the blockade on Gaza is lifted.
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