Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels announced on Wednesday that they had resumed terrorist attacks on Red Sea shipping ships after a two-week hiatus.
The Houthis said they targeted three ships, a U.S. destroyer and a U.S. cargo ship. maersk yorktown, and Israeli container ship MSC Veracruz.
“Yemeni forces have confirmed that they will continue to block Israeli shipping and all navigation to occupied Palestinian ports in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.” Said On Wednesday, Houthi spokesman Yahya Saleh said:
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Confirmed The Houthis reportedly launched an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) from Yemeni territory, targeting the MV. yorktown, CENTCOM described the ship as “owned and operated under the U.S. flag, with a crew of 18 Americans and four Greeks.”
“There were no injuries or damages reported by U.S., coalition forces, or commercial vessels,” the statement said.
Centcom added that U.S. forces “successfully engaged and destroyed four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over Houthi-held areas in Yemen,” adding that the area was “the largest carrier for U.S. forces, coalition forces, and commercial vessels in the region.” posed an imminent threat to the country,” he added.
RELATED FLASHBACK — US military attacks Houthi targets in show of defense in Red Sea
British security firm Ambry said on Wednesday it had received reports of an “underwater explosion” near Yemen’s port city of Aden. Aden is an area where the Houthis have frequently attacked international shipping since the start of the Gaza conflict.
UK Maritime Trade Operations Center (UKMTO) report The explosion near Aden may have been a missile intercept, as described by CENTCOM.
greek official Said On Thursday, a Greek frigate hydra It intercepted two Houthi drones while “protecting a merchant ship in the Gulf of Aden.” One of the drones was reportedly destroyed and the other “gone somewhere.”
The Houthis suspended terrorist attacks in the Red Sea in early April, but the reasons for this are not entirely clear. Some U.S. officials said U.S. and allied attacks on the Houthis’ missile launchers and ammunition stockpiles had depleted their resources to the point that further Red Sea attacks would be difficult.
of Nationwide report On Thursday, it claimed that the Houthis may have suspended their operations because the United States used intermediaries to give them “incentives” to do so.
“In response to attempts by Yemeni groups to target Israeli ships, the United States not only resorted to military action, but also tried to convey proposals to incentivize the militants to stop their attacks,” Yemeni Information The source said. of Nationwide.
“In recent weeks, messages containing incentives have been sent to Sanaa by the Americans. These messages were conveyed through envoys and mediators, including Western officials, and the Omani capital Muscat also played an important role.” the official added.
The Biden administration declined to comment on the report. But Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf said the administration “encouraged indirect and direct talks that led to a cessation of hostilities for more than two years.”
“All of this is a larger project for us, working with various Gulf partners, including Saudi Arabia, Oman and the Emirates,” Leaf said, a statement that is fairly consistent with sources. right. Originally from Yemen.
Leaf said the U.S. halted “direct talks” with the Houthis after they launched attacks on ships in the Red Sea, but the Biden administration said “to deter Houthi attacks, “We are using every means possible, including diplomatic means and shooting down missiles and drones,” he added. It’s a thoughtless adventure. ”
