Houthis Claim New Attacks on US Warships and Merchant Vessel in Red Sea

Yemen's Houthi movement has reported new attacks on vessels in the Red Sea region, escalating tensions in this crucial maritime area. The group claims to have targeted two US Navy destroyers and a merchant ship, continuing a pattern of aggression that began in November 2023.

According to Yahya Saree, the Houthi military spokesperson, the USS Cole and USS Laboon were attacked with drones and ballistic missiles in the Gulf of Aden. Additionally, the Liberia-flagged container ship Contship Ono was reportedly targeted in the Red Sea.

These attacks are part of the Houthis' campaign to show solidarity with Palestinians in the ongoing Gaza conflict, which started in October 2023. The frequency of such incidents has significantly impacted global shipping, forcing vessels to reroute around Africa, adding approximately 10 days to voyages and increasing costs substantially.

The Red Sea, through which about 12% of global trade passes, has become a hotspot for maritime security concerns. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical chokepoint only 18 miles wide at its narrowest point, is particularly vulnerable to such attacks.

"The Houthi air force targeted U.S. destroyer Cole with a number of drones and the U.S. destroyer Laboon with a number of ballistic missiles."

It's worth noting that the USS Cole has a history of being targeted in Yemeni waters, having suffered an Al-Qaeda attack in 2000 at Yemen's Aden port.

The recent attacks come after a brief lull following an Israeli strike near Yemen's Hodeidah port on July 20, 2024, which resulted in casualties. This incident appeared to temporarily reduce the frequency of Houthi attacks. However, on August 4, 2024, the group claimed an attack on the MV Groton in the Gulf of Aden, signaling a resumption of their maritime campaign.

The international community has responded to these threats with the formation of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a US-led multinational naval task force. Additionally, the UN Security Council has condemned the Houthi attacks on commercial vessels.

As Yemen continues to grapple with a civil war that began in 2014, the Houthis, who control the capital Sanaa and much of northern Yemen, have developed their own drone and missile capabilities. The group's actions in the Red Sea region continue to raise concerns about the potential spread of the Israel-Hamas conflict and further destabilization of the Middle East.