Houthis shoot down US drone
The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen announced that they have shot down a US armed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the central province of Marib.
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Houthi Military Spokesperson Yahya Saree stated in a written statement that they had shot down a US military MQ-9 drone over the skies of Marib province.
Saree provided information that the US drone was hit and brought down by Houthi air defense systems while it was on a hostile mission over the skies of Marib.
Spokesperson Saree added that with this incident, the number of MQ-9 drones they have shot down has risen to 8.
THE SITUATION IN THE RED SEA
The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have been seizing commercial vessels they claim are linked to Israeli companies off the coast of Yemen since October 31, 2023, in response to Israel's attacks in Gaza, and have also been carrying out attacks on some with drones and missiles.
Following the actions of the Houthis, many shipping companies decided to suspend their voyages in the Red Sea.
The US announced on December 18, 2023, that a multinational "maritime task force" called "Operation Prosperity Guardian" had been formed with the participation of a group of countries against Houthi forces, citing the threat to global maritime trade security.
US forces have announced many times during this process that they have shot down missiles and kamikaze drones launched from Yemen.
While the European Union (EU) launched the Aspides mission on February 19 for maritime security in the Red Sea, Italy also joined this mission on March 5 by parliamentary decision and assumed tactical command.
Approximately 12 percent of global trade is conducted through the Suez Canal, which offers the shortest route between Europe and Asia by connecting the Mediterranean to the Red Sea.