Operation Prosperity Guardian - Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb narrows and Gulf of Aden

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U.S. Central Command

April 30 Red Sea Update

At approximately 1:52 p.m. (Sanaa time) on April 30, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully engaged and destroyed an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) in Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen.

It was determined the USV presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels.

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U.S. Central Command

May 2 Red Sea Update

At approximately 2:00 p.m. (Sanaa time) on May 2, 2024, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully engaged and destroyed three uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) in an Iranian-backed Houthi controlled area of Yemen.

It was determined these systems presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international water

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Navy Lookout
French frigate FS Lorraine escorting 3 merchant ships heading north in the Bab El Mandeb Strait shot down another Houthi drone with an Aster missile
VG short video at https://twitter.com/i/status/1786683355829805429

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Navy Lookout
Sorry lads, the holiday in Tehran is cancelled...
Commanding officers of HMS Diamond and HMS Richmond on list of individuals "sanctioned" by Iran.
https://thenationalnews.com/news/uk/202 ... hi-drones/

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Navy Lookout
Sorry lads, the holiday in Tehran is cancelled...
Commanding officers of HMS Diamond and HMS Richmond on list of individuals "sanctioned" by Iran.
https://thenationalnews.com/news/uk/202 ... hi-drones/

https://www.gbnews.com/news/grant-shapp ... tions-iran

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Navy Lookout
Belgian frigate BNS Louise Marie joins operations in the Red Sea after issues with with RIM-7 Sea Sparrow Missiles resolved.

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hms diamond sailed from Portsmouth on 17th November 2023.
Apart from a 3-week break in Gibraltar she is approaching 6 months away from home spent predominately at high readiness state in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

USS Dwight D Eisenhower and USS Gravely are returning to the Red Sea following a rest stop in Souda Bay.
Looks like deployment extended again due lack of available relief. (Sailed from US on 15th Oct 2023)

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U.S. Central Command
May 6 Red Sea Update
At approximately 10:47 a.m. (Sanaa time) on May 6, 2024, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully engaged and destroyed one uncrewed aerial system (UAS) launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists over the Red Sea.
It was determined the UAS presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels.

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U.S. Central Command

May 7 CENTCOM Update

Between approximately 11:02 p.m.and 11:48 p.m. (Sanaa time) on May 6, Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists launched three uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) over the Gulf of Aden from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen. A coalition ship successfully engaged one UAS, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully engaged the second UAS, and the final UAS crashed in the Gulf of Aden. There were no injuries or damages reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels.

Later, at approximately 5:02 a.m. (Sanaa time) on May 7, Iran-backed Houthi terrorists launched an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) over the Gulf of Aden. There were no injuries or damages reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels.

It was determined that these weapons presented an imminent threat to both coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region. These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels.

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Houthis Launch New Round of Attacks on Merchant Ships

The Houthi rebels in Yemen conducted a new series of launches according to reports from the military forces in the Red Sea. The latest action appeared to come hours after the news of Israel’s actions around the southern Gaza city of Rahaf and following the threats by the Houthi to expand their attacks on commercial shipping in response to such an action.

The master of an unidentified merchant ship reported two explosions in “closet proximity” to his vessel this morning, May 7. According to the UK Maritime Trade Organizations, the vessel was 82 nautical miles south of Aden, Yemen. The position would place the vessel close to Djibouti at the southern end of the Red Sea. The vessel and its crew were reported safe.

Yesterday morning, May 6, U.S. Central Command also reported its first engagement with the Houthi in four days. U.S. forces successfully engaged and destroyed one uncrewed aerial system (UAS) launched by Houthi over the Red Sea on Monday morning. Last week, on May 2, the U.S. reported it destroyed three uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). There had previously been several engagements over a series of days at the end of April after a previous pause of nearly two weeks.

The EU force, Operation Aspides, also reported an engagement on May 6. The Italian frigate Fasan, which only joined the effort at the end of April, reported its second engagement in a week. Yesterday the warship was protecting an unnamed merchant ship in the Gulf of Aden when they identified a Houthi-launched drone in the area. The Fasan shot down one UAV.

The French Navy also reported that it shot down a drone on May 4. The incident also came while it was protecting merchant ships in the Red Sea.

The Houthi said last week that they would extend their attacks and use their expanded reach to threaten shipping if Israel moved against Rahaf. In response, shipping companies including Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd reported that they were increasing their diversions.

The international force is also reporting a rotation of assets in the region. After Italy replaced its frigate with another at the end of April, Aspides is reporting the Belgian Navy ship, Louise-Marie, a Karel Doorman-class frigate, joined its operations. At the same time, the U.S. Navy reported the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney had headed into the Atlantic at the end of April. It had been heavily involved with several takedowns as well as reportedly targeted by the Houthi after the defensive mission began in the Red Sea. The U.S. also reportedly moved the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower back into the Red Sea after the aircraft carrier accompanied by the USS Gravely briefly went to the Mediterranean and made a visit to Crete.

Source https://maritime-executive.com/article/ ... hant-ships