Royal Navy warship HMS Diamond shoots down Houthi attack drone in the Red Sea

28 January 2024 , 12:51

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HMS Diamond has 'successfully repelled' a drone attack from Houthi rebels (Image: AP)

A Royal Navy destroyer has shot down a drone attack from Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, according to the Ministry of Defence.

HMS Diamond was forced to defend itself with Sea Viper missiles on Saturday after the latest attack from Iran-backed militants in Yemen. The warship has been deployed to the Middle East amid escalating tensions with the Houthis, who claim to be targeting cargo ships headed for Israel in response to the conflict in Gaza.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said the UK remains "undaunted" after the latest strike, which only weeks after HMS Diamond and US warships launched a coordinated blitz against a barrage of drones.

The Ministry of Defence said in a statement: "Yesterday HMS Diamond successfully repelled a drone attack from the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea. Deploying her Sea Viper missile system, Diamond destroyed a drone targeting her, with no injuries or damaged sustained to Diamond or her crew.

"These intolerable and illegal attacks are completely unacceptable and it is our duty to protect the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. We want to thank the brave crew of HMS Diamond for their service to defend British and international interests."

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The Defence Secretary tweeted: "The UK remains undaunted after yesterday's illegal attack on HMS Diamond by the Iranian-backed Houthis. Our commitment to protect innocent lives and the freedom of navigation is absolutely unwavering."

It comes after a British-linked oil tanker was hit by a Houthi missile on Friday, with fire raging for several hours. The rebel fighters said they had targeted the Marlin Luanda in response to "American-British aggression".

The operator of the tanker is registered as Oceonix Services Ltd, a UK registered company, but it flies under the flag of the Marshall Islands and is operated on behalf of multinational trading company Trafigura.

Trafigura said in a statement on Saturday that the crew were safe and that the fire had been put out. The ship was making its way towards a safe harbour.

The UK Government warned that Britain and its allies "reserve the right to respond appropriately" after "completely unacceptable" attacks on merchant vessels.

Lizzy Buchan