Over the past seven days, the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) has intercepted six uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) targeting ships in the Red Sea.
USCENTCOM is a combatant command that directs and enables military operations and activities with allies and partners to increase regional security and stability in support of US interests. Its area of responsibility includes the Middle East and it has been particularly active in the Red Sea region since Houthi rebels, which the US says are backed by Iran, have launched an increasing number of drone attacks on ships.
On May 22, USCENTCOM forces successfully engaged four UAS in an Iranian-backed Houthi controlled area of Yemen. It was determined that these systems presented an imminent threat to US coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region. A further UAS was destroyed over the Red Sea on May 26, with another taken down by USCENTCOM on May 27. As with the UAS on May 22, these were also said to have been launched from an Iranian-backed Houthi controlled area of Yemen.
USCENTCOM remains in the region to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US, coalition, and merchant vessels.
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Image: USCENTCOM
