Alert: US Navy Just Repelled 'Large-Scale' Attack

American warships successfully thwarted a large-scale drone attack by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, according to a news release from U.S. Central Command. The attack, conducted between 4 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. Sanaa time, involved one-way attack (OWA) UAVs and posed an imminent threat to merchant vessels.

U.S. Navy, along with coalition ships and aircraft in the region, engaged and shot down 15 OWA UAVs in the initial response. A follow-up release indicated that the attacks persisted, and further engagements between 4:00 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. Sanaa time on March 9 resulted in the downing of at least 28 unmanned aerial vehicles. No U.S. or coalition navy vessels sustained damage, and there were no reports of damage from commercial ships.

A French warship and fighter jets played a role in the defensive action, shooting down four drones to protect the cargo ship True Confidence. The French army statement highlighted the direct contribution to safeguarding the cargo ship, which was struck on March 6 and is under tow, as well as other commercial vessels in the area.

The HMS Richmond, part of the British Royal Navy, also participated in repelling the Houthi drone attack, successfully using its Sea Ceptor missiles to shoot down two attack drones. Defense Minister Grant Shapps emphasized the vessel's effectiveness in countering another illegal attack by the Iranian-backed Houthis.

Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarea claimed responsibility for targeting the cargo vessel and alleged attacks on "a number of U.S. war destroyers at the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden with 37 drones" during a televised speech on Saturday. Sarea asserted that Houthi attacks would continue until aggression ceases and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted.

The Houthi attack on the True Confidence last Wednesday resulted in the death of three crew members. Additionally, a British-owned ship previously hit by the Houthis in February sank last weekend, causing damage to three undersea telecommunication cables.