LONDON: In a significant development in the Red Sea, a unified naval action involving the HMS Diamond, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), USS Gravely (DDG 107), USS Laboon (DDG 58), and USS Mason (DDG 87) successfully neutralized a series of threats launched by the Iranian-backed Houthi faction. The threats, comprising unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and missiles, were aimed at international shipping lanes frequented by merchant vessels.
The US Central Command reported that on January 9, the Houthis launched a complex attack from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into the Southern Red Sea. The attack involved Iranian-designed one-way attack UAVs (OWA UAVs), anti-ship cruise missiles, and an anti-ship ballistic missile, targeting international shipping lanes where dozens of merchant vessels were transiting.
The combined effort of the aforementioned naval forces, with air support from F/A-18s embarked on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, resulted in the downing of eighteen OWA UAVs, two anti-ship cruise missiles, and one anti-ship ballistic missile. This incident marks the 26th Houthi attack on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea since November 19. Fortunately, no injuries or damage were reported.
On January 3, 14 countries, including the US, issued a joint statement warning the Houthis of the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, or the free flow of commerce in the region’s critical waterways.
This is not a new scenario for HMS Diamond, which had previously engaged and downed a Houthi attack drone fired at merchant shipping. This latest incident follows attacks on British-owned vessels by Houthi-launched drones in Yemen. In response to the escalating Houthi attacks on commercial vessels, shipping firms Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk recently announced a suspension of all container shipments through the Red Sea until further notice.
