U.S., French, and British Forces Down Dozens of Drones in Red Sea Area

Overnight and on Saturday, U.S., French, and British forces took action in response to a series of drone attacks in the Red Sea area carried out by the Iran-aligned Houthis from Yemen. The attacks targeted the bulk carrier Propel Fortune and U.S. destroyers in the region, prompting a swift response from international military forces.

Drone Downings

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that at least 28 uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) were downed over the Red Sea in the early hours of Saturday. Additionally, a French warship and fighter jets intercepted and shot down four combat drones advancing towards naval vessels in the region as part of the European Aspides mission.

Protection of Vessels

The military actions taken by the international coalition were aimed at protecting not only their own naval vessels but also commercial ships in the area. The French army confirmed that their defensive action directly contributed to the protection of the cargo ship True Confidence, which had previously been struck on March 6. Similarly, the British Ministry of Defence announced that the HMS Richmond successfully repelled an attack, using its Sea Ceptor missiles to shoot down two Houthi drones, thus preventing any injuries or damage.

Civilian Casualties and Targeted Attacks

The recent escalation in Houthi attacks resulted in the tragic deaths of three seafarers in a missile strike on the Greek-operated True Confidence. This marked the first civilian casualties since the start of the attacks on the key shipping route. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also confirmed an attempted attack on the Singapore-flagged Propel Fortune, attributing the targeting to outdated U.S. ownership data.

Continued Threat

In response to the international actions, the Houthi group's military spokesman, Yahya Sarea, reiterated their commitment to continuing the attacks until the perceived aggression against Palestinians and the siege on the Gaza Strip are lifted. Despite the defensive measures taken by the coalition forces, the Houthis have signaled their intent to persist with their campaign.

Global Resolve

The U.S., France, and Britain, along with their international allies, have reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding maritime security in the region. Furthermore, they have pledged to enact necessary measures to ensure the safety of vessels and uphold the freedom of navigation in the face of evolving threats posed by the Houthi drone attacks.