Houthis Claim Responsibility for Attack on Two Ships and US Destroyer off Yemeni Coast
The Houthis in Yemen proclaimed on Sunday that they had carried out assaults on two civilian ships as well as an American destroyer in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, their most recent attempt to disrupt maritime traffic in what they claim is their support for Palestinians in Gaza.
In a statement, the Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, declared that the terrorist group launched ballistic missiles at the American destroyer, naval missiles at a vessel named the Captain Paris, and drones at a ship known as the Happy Condor. It was uncertain whether any of the targets were actually struck.
Earlier on Sunday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a ship 40 nautical miles south of Yemen’s al Mukha had experienced two explosions in its vicinity. The ship and its crew were unharmed and continued their journey, with no further details about the vessel provided.
The Iran-aligned Houthis, who hold control over Yemen’s capital and a majority of its populated regions, have carried out numerous attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea area since November in solidarity with Palestinians.
These attacks have disrupted global trade by compelling ship owners to redirect their vessels away from the Suez Canal, and have resulted in retaliatory strikes from the U.S. and British forces since February.
