The United States said, at dawn on Friday, that it shot down a drone and an anti-ship ballistic missile in the southern Red Sea, launched by the Houthis, in their twenty-second attempt to attack international shipping since October 19.

US Central Command reported that the US ship USS MASON (DDG 87) shot down a drone and an anti-ship ballistic missile in the southern Red Sea launched by the Houthis between 5:45 and 6:10 pm (Sanaa time) on December 28. No damage was caused to any of the 18 ships in the area and no casualties were reported

It is noteworthy that since last November 18, dozens of ships in the region have been subjected to attacks carried out by the Houthis, justifying this as solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which has been suffering since last October 7 under violent Israeli raids, which prompted 4 of the largest international shipping companies to suspend their work in this corridor. Globally important trade.

While the US Secretary of Defense announced more than a week ago the formation of a new multinational naval force under the umbrella of the Joint Naval Forces and the command of Task Force 153, whose mission is to maintain security in the Red Sea.

The Houthi attacks prompted major shipping companies to avoid passing their ships through the Red Sea, and change their course towards the southern tip of Africa, despite the high costs.

The Houthis launched more than 100 attacks with drones and ballistic missiles targeting 10 commercial ships linked to more than 35 different countries, according to the Pentagon.