UK and US Forces Intercept Houthi Missile Targeting Merchant Vessel in Red Sea
On January 12, UK and US forces carried out joint strikes against the Houthi militia in Yemen to limit their ability to target merchant vessels in the Red Sea.
The Houthi group, backed by Iran, fired a missile at a British merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden, which was intercepted by the Royal Navy's HMS Diamond using a Sea Viper missile system.
The UK Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, stated that the UK is leading the international response to the Houthi attacks on commercial vessels, which have resulted in the loss of lives.
The Houthi group claimed that the attacks were in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where Israel is in conflict with Hamas.
On January 12, US and British forces launched joint strikes against the Huthi rebels in Yemen to limit their ability to attack vessels in the Red Sea, a major international trade route.
The Huthis have been targeting Red Sea shipping since November, justifying their actions as support for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip during Israel's conflict with Hamas.
The US military has previously conducted solo air raids, but the Huthis have promised to continue their attacks.
Approximately 12% of international maritime traffic passes through the Red Sea.
As a result of the attacks, several shipping companies have opted to use the longer and more costly route around the Cape of Good Hope instead.