Italian Navy Warship Shoots Down Houthi Drone Amid Threats to Disrupt World Trade

On Thursday, the Italian Navy warship Fasan shot down a Houthi drone near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital maritime route between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The incident occurred amid ongoing threats from the Iran-backed Houthi rebels to attack ships of U.S. allies and disrupt 14% of world trade that passes through the strait.

The Houthis have launched over 50 attacks on shipping in the region since November, though the frequency of attacks has decreased in recent weeks due to a U.S.-led airstrike campaign targeting Houthi capabilities. The rebels claim their attacks are aimed at pressuring Israel to end its military actions against Hamas in Gaza, even though the targeted ships have had little direct connection to Israel or the U.S.

The attack on the drone happened off the coast of Mokha, Yemen. The U.S. military also shot down five Houthi drones over the Red Sea on Sunday that were considered an "imminent threat" to U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels in the area. On Monday, a suspected Houthi missile attack damaged a merchant vessel in the Red Sea, though the crew was reported safe.

Why this matters: The ongoing Houthi attacks threaten to disrupt a vital trade route that accounts for a significant portion of global commerce. The involvement of the U.S., Italy, and other nations highlights the international concern over the Houthis' actions and the potential economic and security consequences.

The Houthis have vowed to continue targeting ships in the region until Israel ends its military campaign in Gaza. However, U.S. military analysts believe the rebels may be running low on weaponry or have had their capabilities significantly reduced by the U.S.-led airstrikes. "The Houthis are posing a clear threat to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea," said U.S. Navy Captain Bill Urban, a spokesman for the U.S. Central Command.

Key Takeaways

• Italian Navy warship shot down Houthi drone near Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
• Houthis launched over 50 attacks on shipping in the region since Nov.
• U.S. shot down 5 Houthi drones, merchant vessel damaged by suspected missile.
• Houthi attacks threaten vital trade route, global commerce, and security.
• U.S. believes Houthis may be running low on weaponry due to airstrikes.