A drone attack launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck a vessel in the Red Sea, causing damage, according to officials. The incident occurred off the coast of Hodeida, a port city controlled by the rebels. The vessel, a Liberia-flagged container ship bound for Qingdao, China, sustained damage, but the crew onboard was reported safe. An investigation into the extent of the damage is currently underway.
The Houthi rebels have been actively carrying out attacks targeting ships in the region, with more than 60 incidents reported so far. These attacks have resulted in the deaths of four sailors, as well as the seizure and sinking of multiple vessels. The rebels claim that their actions are in response to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Despite the Houthi rebels’ claims that they are targeting ships linked to Israel, the United States, or Britain, many of the vessels attacked have no connection to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Some ships have been headed to Iran, a key supporter of the rebels. The United States has been leading an airstrike campaign against the rebels since January, with recent strikes resulting in casualties among the Houthi forces.
In response to the escalating situation, the U.S. Navy has decided to send the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower back home after an intense eight-month deployment. The ship, based in Norfolk, Virginia, has been leading the American response to the Houthi attacks. It will be replaced by the USS Theodore Roosevelt, currently anchored in Busan, South Korea, amid tensions with North Korea.
The attacks by the Houthi rebels in the Red Sea pose a threat to the vital maritime corridor used for shipping between Asian, Middle Eastern, and European markets. The international community is closely monitoring the situation and working to ensure the safety and security of vessels navigating through the region.
