The Iran-aligned Houthi militia in Yemen on Wednesday claimed they targeted U.S. and Israeli vessels, according to a video from the rebel group's spokesperson.
The Context
Iran-backed Houthi rebels had been launching attacks on commercial ships passing through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden for months, often using anti-ship missiles or attack drones to strike vessels.
The incidents on Wednesday come after a lull in attacks, during which the Houthis launched more than 50 assaults since November on shipping vessels, including seizing one ship and sinking another, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration. The rebel group claims that its forces are targeting shipping in the region in response to Israel's war with the militant group Hamas in Gaza.
The conflict erupted on October 7 when Hamas and other militant groups attacked southern Israel, leaving roughly 1,200 people dead and the militants taking 250 hostages into Gaza. Israeli officials have said that roughly 130 hostages remain in the war-torn territory and 30 have died.
In the nearly seven months of bloodshed, the Palestinian death toll has topped 34,000, with more than 76,000 wounded, according to the Associated Press, per the Gaza Health Ministry. While the Hamas-run ministry does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in their count, it says at least two-thirds have been children and women. The staggering number of Palestinian deaths has ignited international criticism and protests across the globe.
What We Know
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea issued a statement from the Yemeni Armed Forces in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Houthis claim they targeted a U.S. cargo ship and an American warship destroyer in the Gulf of Aden as well as the Israeli ship MSC Veracruz in the Indian Ocean, according to a televised speech from Sarea that was posted on X.
Yemeni Armed Forces said in an online statement that its naval forces carried out the military operation that targeted the American cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, saying multiple "appropriate naval missiles" were used in the attack and "the hit was accurate, thanks to God."
The Yemeni Air Force carried out the other two operations, one of which used "a number of drones" to target an American warship destroyer in the Gulf of Aden. The other attack was launched against the Israeli ship in the Indian Ocean. Both operations "achieved their goals successfully," according to a statement from the Yemeni Armed Forces.
It was unclear at the time of publication whether anyone was injured in the attacks or the extent of the damage the three vessels sustained.
Views
In a full statement by the Yemeni Armed Forces, the military claimed Wednesday's attacks were "in victory for the oppression of the Palestinian people and in response to the American-British aggression against our country."
The Yemeni military vowed it would continue the attacks in an effort "to prevent Israeli navigation or navigation heading to the ports of occupied Palestine in the Red and Arabian Seas, as well as in the Indian Ocean until the aggression is stopped and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted."
The Yemeni Armed Forces threatened further military action against "all hostile targets" in the region and pledged to continue supporting Palestinians.
While U.S. President Joe Biden did not respond to Wednesday's attacks at the time of publication, he condemned "Houthi threats" in a statement earlier this year.
"The United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the world's most critical commercial routes," Biden said. "I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary."
Newsweek reached out via email on Wednesday night to representatives of the Biden administration for comment.
What's Next
It was unknown at the time of publication if or how the U.S. and Israel would respond to the attacks.
Update 4/24/24, 6:40 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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