Houthi rebels initiated a sequence of drone and missile strikes targeting vessels in the Red Sea on Tuesday night, with no reported damage, as confirmed by U.S. authorities on Wednesday. The incidents unfolded in the vicinity of the Yemeni port cities of Hodeida and Mokha, with ships documenting the presence of missiles and drones. In response to the Hodeida incident, US-allied warships recommended vessels to navigate at maximum speed, while off Mokha, ships witnessed missiles, a drone, and accompanying small vessels.
The US military's Central Command characterized the Houthi assault as a "complex attack," involving drones carrying explosives, cruise missiles, and an anti-ship ballistic missile. F-18s from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, in conjunction with other American and British naval vessels, reportedly intercepted and neutralized 18 drones, two cruise missiles, and the anti-ship missile.
Central Command highlighted that this event marks the 26th Houthi attack on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea since November 19, with no reported casualties or damages. Following the attack, the United Kingdom Marine Trade Operations of the British military advised vessels to transit cautiously and report any suspicious activity.
Centcom statement follows:
On Jan. 9, at approximately 9:15 p.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthis launched a complex attack of Iranian designed one-way attack UAVs (OWA UAVs), anti-ship cruise missiles, and an anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into the Southern Red Sea, towards international shipping lanes where dozens of merchant vessels were transiting.
Eighteen OWA UAVs, two anti-ship cruise missiles, and one anti-ship ballistic missile were shot down by a combined effort of F/A-18s from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), USS Gravely (DDG 107), USS Laboon (DDG 58), USS Mason (DDG 87), and the United Kingdom’s HMS Diamond (D34). This is the 26th Houthi attack on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea since Nov. 19. There were no injuries or damage reported.
On Jan. 3, 14 countries, including the U.S, issued a joint statement stating, "The Houthis will bear the responsibility for the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, or the free flow of commerce in the region's critical waterways."
While the Houthi group did not officially claim responsibility, an unnamed Houthi military official cited by Al Jazeera indicated that their forces had targeted a ship associated with Israel in the Red Sea, offering no further details, AP reports.
The Houthi attacks are ostensibly a response to the Israeli air-and-ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, although the connection to the targeted ships remains ambiguous. The Red Sea, a critical trade route connecting the Middle East and Asia to Europe via the Suez Canal, has witnessed recurrent Houthi assaults, posing a threat to global shipping routes. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a pivotal juncture in the Red Sea, facilitates nearly 10% of all sea-traded oil.
In efforts to thwart such attacks, a US-led coalition has been actively patrolling the Red Sea. Previous incidents resulted in the sinking of Houthi vessels and the death of rebel fighters. However, despite warnings from the US, broader retaliatory measures have not been implemented.
