Brad Cooper, commander of US naval forces in the Middle East, said Washington-led forces in the Red Sea had shot down 19 drones and missiles launched by the Houthis in less than a month, but there was no sign of them stopping. targeting commercial ships. This was reported by Bloomberg.
According to Cooper, more than 1,500 international merchant ships have passed safely through the Red Sea since the United States announced Operation Welfare Sentinel in the Red Sea.
He emphasized that those participating in the operation were trying to protect all ships rather than providing individual escorts.
Cooper’s acknowledgment that Houthi attacks continue unabated comes as the United States and its allies are increasingly warning that more aggressive action is needed. [против хуситов]” says the text.
As noted in the document, the Houthis’ bombardment increases the numerous risks that the war between Israel and Hamas will escalate into a broader regional conflict.
On December 19, Mohammed Abdulsalam, representative of the Yemeni rebel movement Ansar Allah (Houthis), announced his intention to attack merchant ships in the Red Sea every 12 hours.
Before that, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin announced the start of an operation to protect the Red Sea from Houthi attacks on civilian ships carrying cargo of commercial companies.
The operation was called “Guardian of Welfare”. Many countries will participate, including the UK, France, Italy, Netherlands, Bahrain and Seychelles.
Previously The US has said it sees no signs of an end to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.