The US military downed 12 kamikaze drones, three anti-ship ballistic missiles, and two land attack cruise missiles fired by the Houthis in the southern Red Sea within a period of just 10 hours on Tuesday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced.
The USS Laboon and F/A-18 Super Hornets from the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group intercepted the projectiles. No damage or injuries were caused in the Houthi attacks.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported several incidents in the Red Sea throughout the day on Tuesday, with several vessels reporting sighting missiles, drones, and explosions nearby.
The Houthis announced on Tuesday evening that they had targeted the MSC United with missiles and fired several drones toward Eilat. The IDF said on Tuesday afternoon that it had intercepted a drone over the Red Sea that was headed toward Israel.
The Houthis reiterated their claim that they are only targeting Israeli ships and ships headed toward Israeli ports.
On Tuesday afternoon, a drone was downed near the Egyptian Red Sea resort city of Dahab, in the second such incident in a month, two security sources told Reuters.
India deploys Navy to guard ships after attacks
Also on Tuesday, India’s Navy announced that it had deployed three guided missile destroyers as well as a P-8I reconnaissance aircraft to maintain a deterrent presence in various locations.
In a speech on Tuesday, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh referred to recent drone and missile attacks against the MV Chem Pluto in the Arabian Sea and the MV Sai Baba in the Red Sea, saying that “India’s growing economic and strategic power has filled some forces with jealousy and envy.”
“The Government of India has taken the attacks on ‘MV Chem Pluto’ and ‘MV Sai Baba’ very seriously. Whoever has carried out these attacks, we will find them even from the bottom of the ocean, and strict action will be taken against them,” added Singh. “India plays the role of a Net Security Provider in the entire Indian Ocean Region. We will ensure that maritime trade in this region touches greater heights. For this, together with our friendly countries, we will keep the sea lanes secure. We have full confidence in the ability and strength of our Navy.”
On Saturday, the Chem Pluto was attacked off in the Arabian Sea just outside India’s exclusive economic zone by a kamikaze drone launched from Iran, according to the US Defense Department. Iran has denied its involvement in the attack. The Indian Navy said on Tuesday that an investigation into the attack was ongoing, with an analysis of the area of attack and debris pointing towards a drone attack.
