Houthi Rebels Target US-Owned Ship in Red Sea Escalation

Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a missile attack Monday on a US-owned ship off Aden’s coast, escalating tensions in the Red Sea, according to Yemen Coast Guard sources and the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The attack, originating from Houthi-held territories in northern Yemen, targeted the vessel 100 nautical miles east of Aden, a strategic port city near the Red Sea’s entrance. The UKMTO reported an explosion near the ship but confirmed the crew was unharmed and the ship continued its journey.

This incident marks a continuation of the Houthis’ intensified assaults on international maritime routes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, purportedly in support of Palestinians. The group previously claimed responsibility for damaging Rubymar, a British cargo ship, with missile strikes, leading to the crew abandoning the vessel.

The Saudi-led coalition, which supports Yemen’s internationally recognized government against the Houthi rebels, has yet to respond to the latest attack. Meanwhile, the US Central Command reported conducting strikes against Houthi military targets, including mobile missiles and underwater drones, aiming to diminish the group’s capabilities.