The US military destroyed seven drones and a control vehicle in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. The strikes were carried out because the drones and vehicle “posed an imminent threat to US coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement on social media platform X.
The Iran-backed Houthis have been attacking shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November 2023, in attacks they say are in solidarity with the Palestinians during the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Earlier, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sari claimed responsibility for attacks on four vessels, including a “direct hit” on the tanker Delonix in the Red Sea following an operation using a number of ballistic missiles.
But the UK Maritime Trade Office (UKMTO) said five missiles were fired in the “close proximity” of the vessel on Friday, which it said had not reported any damage. The Delonix was regarding 277 kilometres (170 miles) northwest of the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeida, according to UKMTO, which is run by the Royal Navy.
The Houthis also claimed attacks on the oil tanker Valer and the container ship Johannes Maersk in the Mediterranean Sea and the bulk carrier Ioannis in the Red Sea.
In December, the United States announced a maritime security initiative aimed at protecting Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks that have forced commercial vessels to divert from a route that typically carries 12% of global trade.
CENTCOM said the US strikes were carried out “to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer.”
“This continued malign and reckless behavior by the Iranian-backed Houthis threatens regional stability and puts the lives of sailors in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden at risk,” U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.
The Houthi attacks have sent insurance costs for ships transiting the Red Sea soaring, prompting many shipping companies to instead take the much longer route around the southern tip of Africa.
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2024-07-02 13:59:40
