The US military said it shot down a drone and missile reportedly fired by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen on Thursday.
Guided missile destroyer the USS Mason downed a drone and an anti-ship ballistic missile in the Southern Red Sea, said US Central Command.
“There was no damage to any of the 18 ships in the area or any reported injuries,” Centcom said.
“This is the 22nd attempted attack by Houthis on international shipping” since October 19, it added.
The Pentagon last week launched Operation Prosperity Guardian, which formed a new international mission to counter Houthi threats on ships in the Red Sea, after a string of attacks on commercial vessels.
Houthi rebels said they would block Israeli ships from travelling through the Red Sea after Israel's siege on Gaza.
However, many attacks have included non-Israeli ships. Shipping companies were redirecting travel as a result.
The waterway and the Gulf of Aden is economically vital as 10 per cent of annual global trade moves through the Red Sea.
The US has already shot down at least 17 drones and missiles fired by Houthis since the beginning of the mission.
Also on Thursday, the US issued sanctions aimed at an individual and exchange houses allegedly involved in Iranian financing of the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
THE BIO: Mohammed Ashiq Ali
Proudest achievement: “I came to a new country and started this shop”
Favourite TV programme: the news
Favourite place in Dubai: Al Fahidi. “They started the metro in 2009 and I didn’t take it yet.”
Family: six sons in Dubai and a daughter in Faisalabad
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
