Houthi forces have announced that they attacked a US destroyer and two commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea amid escalating regional tensions.
“The missile units and naval forces of our Yemeni armed forces conducted two military operations in the Red Sea,” Yahya Saree, spokesperson for the Houthi armed forces, declared on June 16.
The spokesperson stated that Houthi forces launched a missile at a US destroyer and the ship Captain Paris in the Red Sea. He also confirmed that the Houthis attacked the vessel Happy Condor in the Arabian Sea using a drone.
The Houthis have openly declared their intent to target ships associated with Israel in response to attacks on Gaza. However, reports indicate that Houthi attacks have also targeted civilian vessels with no clear connection to Israel.
Furthermore, the conflict has drawn in numerous countries, including the US, UK, Turkey, Russia, China, Qatar, and even Iran, which is believed to support the Houthis.
Since November of the previous year, the Houthis have launched anti-ship ballistic missiles and drones targeting vessels linked to Israel passing through the Red Sea. This action by the Houthis aims to show solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip amidst the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict.
Houthi attacks have forced shipping companies to reroute their vessels on longer, more expensive journeys around southern Africa. Reports suggest that these attacks have disrupted trade and shipping routes, leading 29 major transport and energy companies to change their routes.
Insurance and shipping costs have also surged, forcing ships to choose between the perilous route through the Suez Canal-Red Sea-Bab El Mandeb Strait or the lengthy detour around the Cape of Good Hope, adding tens of thousands of kilometers to their journey.
In December 2023, the US launched Operation Prosperity Shield, a multinational initiative to protect commercial vessels. Concurrently, the US and UK intensified direct strikes on Houthi infrastructure in Yemen. The European Union (EU) also introduced the Aspides defense initiative.
Despite these measures, the Houthis continue to target US and UK commercial and naval vessels. The Iran-backed Houthi forces have vowed to persist with their operations in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean until Israel ceases its military activities in Gaza.
A recent report by the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) on June 14 indicated that Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have impacted 29 transport companies and 65 countries, including Iran.
