Red Sea Turkey Shoot: Allied Warships Down Dozens Of Drones Within Hours
Allied warships and aircraft repulsed a mass drone attack in the Red Sea, but it’s still an ominous sign that the Houthis aren’t backing down.
BY
TYLER ROGOWAY
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PUBLISHED MAR 9, 2024 8:43 PM EST
US and allied forces shot down at least 28 drones launched by Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen today.
Even after weeks of opportunistic strikes against time-sensitive Houthi targets — usually in the form of missiles and drones being prepared for launch — the group fired 28 drones at targets around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait that separates the Red Sea from the Gulf of Aden. U.S. Central Command subsequently released a statement saying that none of the drones hit their mark and were shot down by allied ships and aircraft. Regardless of the success of this onslaught, it is a very clear sign that the Houthis have no intention of curtailing their attacks on shipping and that the growing coalition of warships and combat aircraft are stepping up to meet that challenge head-on.
There are currently two naval task forces operating in the region. These include the U.S.-led Operation Prosperity Guardian, which includes the U.K. and other international partner forces, and the E.U.-centric Operation Aspides (shield) which is made up of French, Italian, German, and Greek surface combatants and other capabilities.
As it sits now, we know multiple assets from multiple nations engaged the drones. The French shot down four drones, according to a press release.
https://www.twz.com/sea/red-sea-turkey-shoot-allied-warships-down-dozens-of-drones-within-hours