British Defense Minister Grant Shapps described the attack on the Royal Navy warship in the Red Sea yesterday as "the largest attack in decades." He noted that the Royal Navy's HMS Diamond was targeted in an assault launched by the Houthi group from Yemen, which was repelled by American and British forces on Tuesday. Shapps told reporters, "What I understand is that the ship itself was likely targeted... but there is also a broader attack on all ships (in the area)."
Shapps indicated that British and American naval forces "thwarted the largest attack to date by the Houthis in Yemen on ships in the Red Sea." The Houthi group launched at least 21 drones and missiles overnight, according to the U.S. military, which added that a carrier and four warships intercepted the missiles, and there were no reports of casualties or damage.
The Houthis have not commented, but they have targeted the ships in response to the war in Gaza, stating that the vessels are linked to Israel. The U.S. Central Command reported that Tuesday's attack was the 26th since November 19. The command explained that "at approximately 21:15 local time (18:15 GMT), one-way 'suicide' drones, anti-ship cruise missiles, and anti-ship ballistic missiles were launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen toward international shipping lanes south of the Red Sea."
F/A-18 fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea shot down 18 drones, two cruise missiles, and one ballistic missile, with the participation of four destroyers: USS Gravely, USS Laboon, USS Mason, and HMS Diamond. A British defense source told the BBC that the HMS Diamond intercepted seven Houthi drones using missiles and “Sea Viper” weapons, a major air-defense missile system developed by France, Italy, and the United Kingdom, with each missile costing over $1.3 million.
Shapps warned in a statement that "the UK and its allies have previously made it clear that these unlawful attacks are absolutely unacceptable, and if they continue, the Houthis will face consequences." He added, "We will take the necessary measures to protect innocent lives and the global economy."
