The U.S. military’s Central Command, or CENTCOM, says its forces destroyed six drones operated by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, the same day it was confirmed the rebels sank their second merchant vessel in the region.
In a release, CENTCOM said its forces destroyed four uncrewed vessels operating Thursday on the ocean's surface and two aerial drones over 24 hours.
The report said there were no injuries or damage reported by the U.S., the coalition or merchant vessels, but it was determined the drones presented an imminent threat.
Meanwhile, maritime authorities confirmed Thursday that a cargo ship struck June 12 by a Houthi missile sank. A crewman on the vessel was killed in the attack.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said Thursday there was "maritime debris and oil sighted in the last reported location” of the ship, the Greek-owned MV Tutor coal carrier. “The vessel is believed to have sunk,” the report said.
The ship was leaking after the attack and was abandoned by the crew.
The Houthis on Thursday released video of the June 12 attack.
A report released earlier this month by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency indicated the unrelenting attacks on international shipping by Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen are taking a toll on commerce and aid efforts, despite attempts by the United States and its partner to lessen the effects.
The monthslong U.S.-led campaign in the region has seen the Navy face its most-intense maritime fighting since World War II, with near-daily attacks targeting commercial vessels and warship.
The Houthis, which are at war with a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen after ousting the government from Sana’a in 2014, have launched scores of drone and missile attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November — they say it’s in support of Hamas in its war with Israel in Gaza.
Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
