The U.S. military announced on Sunday that it had successfully destroyed two unmanned aerial vehicles in Yemen, one in a Houthi rebel-held area and the other over the Red Sea. The operation was carried out to eliminate threats posed to U.S. and coalition forces, as well as merchant vessels in the region, according to the U.S. Central Command.
The first drone was destroyed over the Red Sea, while the second was taken out on the ground before it could be launched. CENTCOM emphasized that these actions were essential to safeguard forces, ensure freedom of navigation, and enhance the safety of international waters for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels.
The Houthi rebels, who control significant parts of Yemen's north and west, did not immediately respond to the incident. The rebels have been engaged in a series of drone and missile attacks on shipping in the Red Sea since November, with some attempts directed towards Israel.
Despite ongoing U.S.-led airstrikes in the region, the Houthis have continued their offensive. Earlier this month, CENTCOM reported the destruction of four more drones in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, along with the firing of anti-ship ballistic missiles towards the Red Sea.
The escalation of hostilities in the Red Sea and the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza has had repercussions on U.N.-led efforts to revive political negotiations to end Yemen's prolonged conflict. The U.N. envoy for Yemen expressed concerns that the current environment could hinder progress towards a nationwide cease-fire in the country.
The conflict in Yemen, which began in 2014 when the Houthis seized control of northern Yemen and the capital Sanaa, has resulted in over 150,000 fatalities and displaced 3 million people. While fighting has decreased following a truce in April 2022, pockets of violence still persist in various parts of the country.
