In a dramatic escalation in the Red Sea, US and UK naval forces intercepted 21 aerial threats launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Wednesday, marking one of the most significant confrontations in the region in recent weeks.
According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the joint operation brought down 18 drones, two anti-ship cruise missiles, and one anti-ship ballistic missile over the southern Red Sea, successfully neutralising a large-scale assault that could have endangered commercial shipping lanes.
This incident represents the 26th attack on global maritime trade by the Iran-backed Houthis in just seven weeks, further intensifying concerns over freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most vital shipping corridors.
UN Resolution Looms Amid Renewed Threats
The attack came just hours before the United Nations Security Council was due to vote on a resolution condemning Houthi aggression and calling for an immediate halt to their strikes on commercial and merchant vessels.
The draft resolution, according to reporting from the Associated Press, underscores how Houthi attacks are disrupting global commerce, threatening navigational freedoms, and undermining regional peace and security. It also calls for the immediate release of the Galaxy Leader, a Japanese-operated cargo vessel with Israeli ties that was seized along with its crew by the Houthis in November.
Complex Strike Near Key Yemeni Ports
US Central Command described the onslaught as a “complex attack” involving Iranian-designed one-way drones, cruise missiles, and a ballistic missile. The missiles were launched from Houthi-controlled areas near Hodeida and Mokha, two key port cities along Yemen’s Red Sea coast.
Private intelligence firm Ambrey reported that commercial ships in the area witnessed incoming threats and coordinated radio communications with nearby warships. Allied naval forces urged vessels to proceed at maximum speed and stay alert as multiple missiles and drones were tracked in real time.
In the incident off Mokha, vessels also reported a drone flying overhead and the presence of small boats shadowing commercial ships, raising further alarm.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a branch of the British military, confirmed the attacks near Hodeida and issued updated guidance, warning vessels to “transit with caution and report any suspicious activity.”
No Casualties, But Regional Tensions Rise
Despite the scale of the attack, no injuries or damage were reported, CENTCOM confirmed.
The Houthis have claimed responsibility, stating that the attacks are a response to Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, which have reportedly resulted in over 23,000 deaths since 7 October.
The rebel group has vowed to continue targeting vessels linked to Israel or its allies until military action in Gaza comes to an end.
Global Shipping on Alert
As tensions mount, commercial shipping routes through the Red Sea remain under heightened security protocols, with naval escorts and surveillance operations stepped up by both US and UK forces.
With the UN preparing to vote, and Western navies actively engaging incoming threats, the situation in the Red Sea underscores the growing intersection between Middle Eastern conflicts and global maritime security.
