International A British warship shoots down a drone that was targeting merchant ships in the Red Sea and the US destroys 14 others

The British warship HMS Diamond shot down a drone last night that was allegedly “targeting merchant ships” in the Red Sea, Defense Minister Grant Shapps reported this Saturday. Shapps said that “a Sea Viper missile was fired that successfully destroyed the objective”, of which no further details have been given.

During today’s day the US has also announced the destruction of 14 drones launched from “areas of Yemen controlled by the Houthis” by a destroyer that operated in the area, according to the US Military Command in the Middle East (Centcom). specifying that the operation has not left any injuries or caused damage to ships.

The British minister recalled that the ship arrived in the area in mid-November to join international efforts aimed at maintaining security in that important sea route. “The recent series of illegal attacks represents a direct threat to international trade and maritime security in the Red Sea,” said the conservative politician.

The United Kingdom “remains committed to repelling these attacks to protect the free flow of global trade,” he added. Admiral Ben Key noted that “one sixth of the world’s commercial shipping passes through the Bab-al-Strait.” Mandeb and the Red Sea”.

The deployment of HMS Diamond just two weeks ago “is already producing results” in operations with other allies such as France and the United States, he declared. The last time the British Royal Navy shot down an aerial target in combat was in the First World War. Gulf in 1991, when the Type 42 destroyer HMS Gloucester destroyed an Iraqi Silkworm missile intended for a US warship.

Although London has not specified the origin of the drone, in recent weeks maritime security in the Red Sea and the Bab al Mandeb Strait has been seriously affected by attacks by Yemen’s Houthis against ships with Israeli links transiting in front of it. to the shores of his country.

On Friday, shipping groups Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd announced the temporary suspension of navigation through the Suez Canal and that sea after several ships were previously attacked.