The U.S. Department of Defense has confirmed that American forces in the Red Sea have identified and targeted an underwater drone operated by Houthi forces. They carried out strikes in response to a perceived threat to U.S. Navy ships in the area. This marks the first encounter with an underwater drone deployed by the Houthis, a group supported by Iran. The Houthis have been targeting ships in the Red Sea and expanded their arsenal to include unmanned surface sea drones on January 4. The use of underwater drones is a significant development in the conflict in the Red Sea and has prompted international responses, including the reclassification of the Houthi rebels as terrorists by the U.S. government.