Official Reports US Strikes Multiple Drones in Yemen

The U.S. official stated on Wednesday that the United States had launched up to 10 unmanned drones in Yemen that were preparing to launch. This comes as tensions escalate from the war in Gaza spreading through the region.

In recent weeks, the Iran-aligned Houthi militants, who control the most populous parts of Yemen, have launched exploding drones and missiles at commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. They have cited Israel’s military operations in Gaza as their reason and consider it a show of solidarity to Palestinians.

The Houthi campaign has disrupted international shipping.

The U.S. and Britain have both conducted strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen and have placed the militia back on a list of “terrorist groups.”

Earlier on Wednesday, the Houthis claimed that their naval forces had carried out an operation targeting an “American merchant ship” in the Gulf of Aden. This came after they had fired missiles at the U.S. Navy destroyer Gravely.

Houthi attacks on ships in and around the Red Sea have caused trade between Asia and Europe to slow down. This has raised concerns of supply bottlenecks and alarmed major powers, as they fear that the Gaza war could become a regional conflict.

President Joe Biden has stated that strikes on Houthi targets will continue, even though he recognizes that they may not be halting their attacks.

Israel’s assault on the Hamas-run Gaza Strip followed a surprise attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel on Oct. 7, which resulted in 1,200 deaths. According to the Gaza health ministry, nearly 27,000 people have been killed in the fighting since then.