UKMTO Warns Of Drone In Red Sea Following Overnight US/UK Strikes

UK Marine Trade Operations (UKMTO) have issued a warning of the sighting of an 'Uncrewed Aerial System' (a drone) in the Red Sea south of Al Mukha, Yemen around the Bab al-Mandab strait. The warning comes in the hours after the US and UK launched their first joint airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen since 11 Jan.

• Despite the US/UK strikes, the prospect of the Houthis halting their attacks on shipping appears slim. The Houthis have claimed the attacks will continue as long as Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza continues (although the US and its allies claim the Houthi attacks are indiscriminate and not related to Gaza). The Houthis have been involved in the lengthy Yemeni Civil War since 2014, and are well equipped to deal with airstrikes following years of bombardment from Saudi and UAE airforces.
• As such, the US-led aerial assault in its current piecemeal format seems unlikely to deter Houthi actions as long as they maintain the support of their supposed military and financial backers in the Iranian gov't.