In the past 24 hours, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and its partner forces have successfully intercepted and destroyed four drones launched by Houthi militants. According to a statement released by CENTCOM on Sunday, two drones were neutralized in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen by U.S. forces, while partner forces destroyed another two over the Gulf of Aden.
CENTCOM determined that these unmanned aerial systems posed an imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, as well as to merchant vessels operating in the region. “These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels,” the statement emphasized.
The U.S. leads a naval coalition focused on safeguarding commercial shipping routes in the Red Sea and surrounding waters from Houthi attacks. In addition to drone interceptions, the coalition has conducted airstrikes targeting Houthi surface drones and radar sites within Yemen. Since June 30, the U.S. has destroyed seven Houthi surface drones in the Red Sea and four of the group’s radar sites.
This latest operation coincides with the anticipated arrival of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group in the region. This move follows the departure of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and its escorts on June 22. The Roosevelt, which recently completed an exercise in the Indo-Pacific with Japan and South Korea, is expected to reinforce U.S. naval presence in the Middle East.
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