The U.S. Navy shot down a drone launched from Yemen's Houthi-held territory, marking the first confirmed act of “self-defense” by a U.S. ship in the Red Sea since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.
The drone was launched “from Houthi-held territory” and was shot down by the destroyer Labun in the Red Sea on Saturday. according to to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). The response is the first time since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel that the United States has publicly acknowledged that such an attack on a U.S. ship was thwarted in self-defense. (Related article: 'Nothing has changed': Pentagon plan to stop Red Sea attack is not working, experts say)
At approximately 9:30 a.m. (Sanaa time) on January 6, an unmanned aircraft launched from Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled area was shot down by the USS Laboon (DDG 59) in self-defense in Yemen's international waters. The southern Red Sea, which is located near several bodies of water. pic.twitter.com/fT00nlH0hk
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 6, 2024
“An unmanned aerial vehicle launched from Iranian-backed Houthi-held territory in Yemen was shot down in self-defense by the USS Laboon (DDG 59) in international waters in the southern Red Sea,” Centcom said in a statement on Saturday.
CENTCOM noted that the attack came within range of multiple commercial ships in the area. The attack was quelled, with no casualties or damage reported.
CENTCOM previously used language used when referring to the U.S. Navy fending off Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. like It did not make clear who the attack was aimed at, using ambiguous phrases such as “the aircraft was shot down” or that the drone was launched “at” the U.S. warship. The Houthis have stepped up attacks on ships in the Red Sea to show solidarity with Hamas in the war against Israel.
US Navy helicopters have previously been involved in other acts of “self-defense” against the Houthis, after the terrorist group attacked a Maersk merchant ship in the Red Sea in December. according to Go to Centcom.
The Houthis launched 20 attacks against merchant ships in the Red Sea region and launched several more attacks, which were intercepted by U.S. forces following a Hamas attack on October 7.The US Department of Defense has established a joint international task force in the region to fight the Houthis, but critics feel it has not yet been established. effective to thwart threats from militia groups.
CENTCOM did not respond to requests for comment.
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