US intercepts multiple attack drones launched from Huthi-controlled areas in Yemen: Pentagon

A US warship patrolling the Red Sea intercepted multiple attack drones launched from Huthi-controlled areas in Yemen on Thursday, the US Central Command said."On the morning (Yemen time) of November 23, the USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) shot down multiple one-way attack drones launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen," CENTCOM said on X, previously Twitter. "The ship and crew sustained no damage or injury," it added.Huthi rebels seized an Israel-linked cargo vessel and its 25 international crew at the entrance to the Red Sea on Sunday. Israel's military deemed this seizure a "very grave incident of global consequence," while a US military official characterized it as "a flagrant violation of international law."Last week, the USS Thomas Hudner, a US Navy warship, intercepted and shot down a drone originating from Yemen as it approached the ship sailing in the southern Red Sea near the Bab-el-Mandeb strait.The officials said the crew took action to ensure the safety of U.S. personnel, and there were no casualties or damage to the ship. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing military operations.According to an initial intelligence assessment, the drone was likely targeting the ship, said one of the officials. The U.S. did not directly blame the Iran-backed Houthi rebels for launching the unmanned aircraft. But the early Wednesday incident comes less than a week after Houthis shot down a U.S. drone over the Red Sea. Officials said the MQ-9 Reaper was in international airspace. The Houthis said it was in Yemeni airspace and was shot down by air defences.The Houthis have launched at least six aerial attacks against Israel since Oct. 7 and, according to the group's leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, have vowed to target ships operating in the Red Sea.Another Navy destroyer, the USS Carney, took similar strikes on drones coming from Yemen on Oct. 19. The ship took out three missiles and several drones. It wasn’t certain if they were aimed at Israel. One of the officials said the U.S. does not believe the missiles were aimed at the ship.The Houthi are staunch foes of Israel and regularly hold huge demonstrations in support of Palestinians, during peacetime and wartime.With inputs from AP.