10 March 2024 , 21:16
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Warship HMS Richmond has shot down two Houthi drones in the latest incident in the Red Sea.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said the British vessel used its Sea Ceptor missiles to repel the attack.
A Ministry of Defence video shows flashes of light as the missiles are launched into the air. A separate clip shows the vessel locking onto the drones before gunning them down.
The US Central Command said a total of 15 drones were shot down by coalition vessels and aircraft during attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in the early hours of Saturday morning. Pictures show Royal Navy personnel dressed in anti-flash gear.
Mr Shapps said: “The UK and our allies will continue to take the action necessary to save lives and protect freedom of navigation.”
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The MoD said Richmond’s crew acted in an “exemplary manner”, adding: “We are unwavering in our position that we will take the action necessary to protect innocent lives and the global economy.”
The Iranian-backed Houthis, based in Yemen, have claimed their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea are in response to events in Gaza. However the merchant vessels targeted have often had little or no link to Israel.
Sea Ceptor missiles being fired from HMS Richmond (PA)The MoD said the Type 23 frigate and international allies “fully repelled” a Houthi drone attack with no injuries or damage sustained.
A French warship and fighter jets also shot down four drones to stop an attack targeting a European naval mission and a cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden. The cargo ship, True Confidence, was being towed after it was struck by a missile on Wednesday.
Three sailors were killed – two Filipinos and one Vietnamese – the first fatalities since the Houthis started their attacks.
The recent wave of attacks has been one of the largest by the Houthis. As a result, vessels using the Red Sea have diverted around southern Africa rather than using the Suez Canal between Europe and Asia, adding to costs and creating a potential global economic risk. Despite repeated US and UK strikes against Houthi-linked sites, there seems to be little sign of the threat abating.
Meanwhile, a US military ship was yesterday sailing towards the Middle East, carrying equipment to build a temporary pier off the coast of Gaza. The General Frank S Besson, set sail from Virginia on Saturday. It came after President Joe Biden said the US would build the harbour to help get aid into Gaza by sea.
The UN has warned that famine in the Gaza Strip is “almost inevitable”. The US and Jordan yesterday parachuted in 11,500 meals that included rice, flour, pasta, and canned food.
President Biden believes Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is “hurting Israel more than helping Israel” in his approach to the war on Hamas.
In an interview on Saturday, Mr Biden said Netanyahu “must pay more attention to the innocent lives lost as a consequence of the actions taken”.
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