Current:Home > BackU.S. military reports 1st Houthi unmanned underwater vessel in Red Sea-LoTradeCoin
U.S. military reports 1st Houthi unmanned underwater vessel in Red Sea
View Date:2024-12-23 21:16:56
The U.S. military conducted five self-defense strikes in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen on Saturday, including one against an unmanned underwater vessel, U.S. Central Command said Sunday.
Saturday's incident marked the first observed Houthi use of an unmanned underwater vessel since attacks in the Red Sea region started in October, CENTCOM said.
The military on Saturday between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. local time also conducted self-defense strikes against three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles and an unmanned surface vessel. CENTCOM "determined they presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region," the military said in a news release. "These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels."
The Houthis have launched a barrage of drones and anti-ship ballistic missiles in recent months, targeting dozens of ships and disrupting a crucial international shipping corridor. When they began their attacks, the Houthis said they would only shoot at ships linked to Israel.
On Jan. 11, the U.S. and British militaries, in conjunction with other allies, launched the first strikes in response to Houthi attacks. Several days later, the U.S. government re-designated the Houthi movement as a terrorist organization as the group stepped up attacks in the Red Sea.
The Red Sea, regularly used by commercial ships, is the primary route by sea between Europe and Asia. Many companies are now bypassing the area out of safety concerns.
Shipping giants, including CMA CGA, Equinor, Evergreen, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk, Orient Overseas and ZIM, have said they plan to avoid the Red Sea while the violence persists, MoneyWatch previously reported. Energy company BP in December said it had suspended gas and oil shipments in the area. Ikea previously warned of possible shortages as shipping companies bypass the Red Sea.
U.S. Ambassador Robert Wood spoke about the issue at a UN Security Council Briefing on Yemen last week, noting that rerouting a ship around Africa adds roughly 10 days and $1 million in fuel costs for each one-way voyage between Asia and Europe.
"The Houthis are trying to apply a chokehold on global shipping through the Red Sea," Wood said. "As a result, people around the world face increased costs for goods and supplies."
- In:
- Red Sea
- Houthi Movement
- Yemen
Aliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBSNews.com. She has previously written for outlets including PIX11 News, The New York Daily News, Inside Edition and DNAinfo. Aliza covers trending news, often focusing on crime and politics.
TwitterveryGood! (7616)
Related
- Relive Pregnant Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly's Achingly Beautiful Romance
- Oil Giants See a Future in Offshore Wind Power. Their Suppliers Are Investing, Too.
- 10 Best Portable Grill Deals Just in Time for Summer: Coleman, Cuisinart, and Ninja Starting at $20
- This Affordable Amazon Cooling Towel Will Help You Beat the Summer Heat
- Kentucky gets early signature win at Champions Classic against Duke | Opinion
- Court Sides With Trump on Keystone XL Permit, but Don’t Expect Fast Progress
- Why Tom Brady Says It’s Challenging For His Kids to Play Sports
- Biden Climate Plan Looks For Buy-in From Farmers Who Are Often Skeptical About Global Warming
- Will Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul end in KO? Boxers handle question differently
- 10 Days of Climate Extremes: From Record Heat to Wildfires to the One-Two Punch of Hurricane Laura
Ranking
- Deion Sanders says he would prevent Shedeur Sanders from going to wrong team in NFL draft
- Florida police say they broke up drug ring selling fentanyl and xylazine
- ‘We Need to Be Bold,’ Biden Says, Taking the First Steps in a Major Shift in Climate Policy
- Wage theft often goes unpunished despite state systems meant to combat it
- Pete Alonso's best free agent fits: Will Mets bring back Polar Bear?
- In Remote Town in Mali, Africa’s Climate Change Future is Now
- Wage theft often goes unpunished despite state systems meant to combat it
- Taylor Swift and Matty Healy Break Up After Whirlwind Romance
Recommendation
-
Chipotle unveils cilantro-scented soap, 'water' cup candles in humorous holiday gift line
-
Naomi Campbell welcomes second child at age 53
-
Flash Deal: Get $135 Worth of Tarte Cosmetics Products for Just $59
-
As Wildfire Smoke Blots Out the Sun in Northern California, Many Ask: ‘Where Are the Birds?’
-
Powerball winning numbers for November 11 drawing: Jackpot hits $103 million
-
Climate Scientists Take Their Closest Look Yet at the Warming Impact of Aviation Emissions
-
U.S. Mayors Pressure Congress on Carbon Pricing, Climate Lawsuits and a Green New Deal
-
On the Frontlines of a Warming World, 925 Million Undernourished People