US military intercepts Houthi drones, missiles amid growing threats to regional shipping

The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it successfully destroyed five Houthi drones and two missile systems in Houthi-controlled Yemen, averting what officials called an “imminent threat to US and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region.”

The Iran-backed Houthis have escalated their attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November, citing protests against Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza. These actions have raised tensions in a region critical to global trade and energy supplies, as the Houthis target vessels to disrupt shipping routes.

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The US military’s intervention highlights the increasing risks to international shipping, with CENTCOM continuing to monitor the situation closely. The incident marks a continuation of Houthi efforts to exert pressure on the international community through maritime disruption, further complicating an already volatile regional conflict.