A tense situation unfolded in the Red Sea on Saturday as U.S. forces intervened to stop an attack by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.
The Houthis launched a barrage of missiles – four in total – targeting a Chinese-owned oil tanker, the M/V Huang Pu, according to the U.S. Central Command. A fifth missile was also fired, prompting the tanker to send out a distress call.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported and a fire that broke out on the vessel was extinguished. However, the U.S. did take action. They engaged six Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) believed to be involved in the attack. Five of these drones were successfully taken down and crashed into the Red Sea. The remaining UAV managed to escape and flew back into Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen.
