Iran-backed Houthis launch attacks on American, British merchant ships in the Red Sea
Amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East due to the Israel-Hamas conflict, Iran-backed Houthi rebels continue their offensive in the Red Sea, targeting American and British vessels.
On Sunday, the British Maritime Security reported a rocket attack on a British ship in the Red Sea, with additional reports of drone activities in the region.
The Pentagon also confirmed attacks on an American warship, the USS Carney, and several commercial ships in the Red Sea. The ongoing series of naval assaults in the Middle East appears to be linked to the hostilities between Israel and Hamas.
"We are aware of reports of attacks on the USS Carney and merchant ships in the Red Sea and will provide updates as soon as new information becomes available," stated the Pentagon.
Yemen's Houthi rebels, with backing from Iran, claimed responsibility for the attacks, announcing that they targeted two "Israeli ships" off the coast of Yemen during the Gaza war. The Houthis revealed that they executed operations in the Strait of Bab al-Mandab, a critical waterway connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, hitting the first ship with a missile and targeting the second with a drone.
The Merchant Marine Operations Agency of Britain's Royal Navy received reports of unmanned aerial system activity and a possible explosion near Yemen, advising caution to ships in the region.
Ambrey Maritime Security reported that an unidentified ship with the Bahamas flag was hit by a missile while navigating south, off the western coast of Yemen.
The recent attacks add to a series of provocations by the Houthi rebels, who have previously targeted ships in the Red Sea using drones and missiles. Last month, the rebels seized a cargo ship linked to Israel named "Galaxy Leader."
In a separate incident, the Pentagon disclosed that two ballistic missiles were launched from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen, landing approximately 10 miles from the USS Mason destroyer within a few days.
The Houthi rebels, aligning with Hamas, intensified their drone and missile attacks on Israel following the commencement of the Hamas-led offensive on October 7th.
