Yemen’s Houthis Launch Attacks on Vessels in Red Sea

In a recent statement, Yemen’s Houthis claimed to have targeted two vessels in the Red Sea using drones and missiles. However, as of now, there has been no independent verification of these alleged attacks. The group’s military spokesman, Yahya Saree, announced that the Elbella and AAL GENOA vessels were hit with a combination of drones, ballistic, and naval missiles.

The specific date of the attacks was not disclosed by Saree. In response to these claims, the U.S. Central Command reported that the Houthis had launched four anti-ship ballistic missiles over the past 24 hours, resulting in no casualties or damages. Additionally, U.S. forces intercepted a drone from a Houthi-controlled region of Yemen that was heading towards the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and also destroyed a Houthi patrol boat in the Red Sea.

The Houthi militia, known for controlling significant parts of Yemen, has been carrying out attacks on ships near the country since November, in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. These actions have disrupted global shipping routes, leading companies to opt for longer and costlier journeys around southern Africa, out of fear that the conflict between Israel and Hamas could escalate and create instability in the broader Middle East region.

Moreover, both the United States and Britain have conducted strikes against Houthi targets in response to the assaults on maritime vessels. The situation remains tense as the international community keeps a close eye on the developments in the Red Sea and the ongoing conflict involving the Houthis.