Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed to have shot down another American-made MQ-9 drone over Yemen, marking a potential escalation in the ongoing conflict. The US responded with airstrikes against Houthi-controlled territory, but the US military has not confirmed the drone’s destruction. The Houthis, who have repeatedly downed US drones in the past, are engaged in a campaign targeting shipping in the Red Sea, linked to their support for Palestine against Israel.
Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have attacked two oil tankers in the Red Sea, prompting concerns for Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter. The U.S. military has condemned the attacks as acts of terrorism, while the Houthis have claimed responsibility for one of the attacks.
The United States has been engaged in a protracted military campaign against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, utilizing extensive resources and firepower, but the effectiveness of the operation remains questionable. The campaign has raised concerns about its cost, impact on US military readiness, and the depletion of munitions that could be needed for potential conflicts with China. Despite the US’s efforts, the Houthis continue to launch attacks, raising questions about the strategy’s success.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a missile attack on a cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, marking the first such attack since Israel struck a Houthi-controlled port last month. The attack was allegedly in retaliation for the ship’s owner violating a ban on entering ports in ‘occupied Palestine,’ according to the Houthis. While the ship sustained minor damage, all crew members remained safe. This incident follows a pattern of attacks by the Houthis on commercial ships in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea since November, aimed at supporting Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for attacks on two US vessels in the Gulf of Aden and an Israeli ship in the Indian Ocean. The attacks come in response to airstrikes by the US and UK on Houthi positions, as well as Israel’s retaliatory strikes in Gaza. The US has confirmed the attacks and said that coalition forces have shot down several drones and an anti-ship missile launched by the Houthis. The attacks have disrupted shipping in the Red Sea region, forcing some ships to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope.
A vessel traveling in the Gulf of Aden was targeted in an attack on Thursday, likely carried out by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. This latest incident follows a series of assaults attributed to the group in response to Israel’s ongoing war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The U.S. military reported that a coalition warship had successfully intercepted a Houthi missile targeting a vessel near the same area the previous day. According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations center, Thursday’s attack occurred approximately 15 miles southwest of Aden. The Houthis have not yet claimed responsibility for the attack, which was also reported by the security firm Ambrey.
An explosion in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Wednesday has sparked suspicions of a Houthi rebel attack. The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported the incident, which occurred approximately 130 kilometers southeast of Djibouti in the Gulf of Aden. Although the Houthis have not claimed responsibility, they have been linked to previous attacks on shipping in the region. Maritime security firm Ambrey also reported the apparent attack. The Houthis have previously launched numerous attacks on shipping vessels since November, including seizing one vessel and sinking another. However, attacks have decreased in recent weeks due to a US-led airstrike campaign against the rebels. Despite the decline, the Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks until Israel ends its war in Gaza.
An explosion near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait may indicate a resumption of attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, despite a recent lull due to US-led airstrikes. The strait is a vital waterway for international trade and aid, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. The Houthis have launched over 50 attacks on shipping since November, including seizing and sinking vessels. The US-led airstrike campaign has temporarily reduced the frequency of these attacks, but the Houthis have vowed to continue their assault until Israel ends its war in Gaza.
