In a response to continued attacks on international shipping routes, the U.S. military and its allies have successfully shot down a total of 28 drones launched by Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen. This significant interception operation occurred in the Red Sea over a period of approximately four hours on Saturday morning.

According to U.S. Central Command, the drones were fired between 4 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. local time. The successful interception was confirmed on social media platforms by the Pentagon. The U.K. Defense Secretary, Grant Shapps, also shared a video on social media, illustrating the British warship HMS Richmond successfully bringing down two Houthi drones.

Emphasizing the commitment to preserving lives and protecting freedom of navigation, Shapps stated, "The UK and our allies will continue to take the necessary action." These actions are deemed essential to counter the mounting threats posed by the Houthi militants, who control significant territories within Yemen.

Houthi militants have persistently launched attacks on ships in the Red Sea since November. This demonstration of solidarity with the militant group Hamas in their conflict with Israel has caused significant disruption to international shipping routes. Earlier this week, a Houthi attack resulted in the deaths of three crew members on the Liberian-owned commercial ship True Confidence, marking the first fatalities since Houthi attacks began in November.

In addition, last weekend, a British-owned ship that had previously been struck by a Houthi missile in February sank in the Red Sea. This incident marked the first vessel to be destroyed by Houthi militants since the initiation of their attacks. The sinking of the ship also caused the severance of three vital undersea telecommunication cables.

In response to these escalations, the U.S. and the U.K., with the support of coalition forces, have conducted four rounds of airstrikes on Houthi military targets in Yemen since mid-January. These airstrikes aim to deter further attacks and safeguard the region's stability.

As tensions rise and the Houthi militants continue their aggression, the international community remains vigilant in its efforts to prevent further disruptions to shipping lanes and ensure the safety of all vessels operating in the vicinity of the Red Sea.