Ballistic missiles fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted three commercial ships on Sunday in the Red Sea. Houthi attacks marked the fifth since the Israel-Hamas conflict began. U.S. warships responded to the assaults by shooting down three drones during the hours-long conflict. Two of the strikes targeted ships in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the third took place near Houthi-controlled Sanaa, Yemen’s capital.
The U.S. military condemned the attacks as a direct threat to global commerce and maritime security, vowing to consider all appropriate responses. They also pointed fingers at Iran, accusing the Iranian government of enabling the Houthi attacks.
The USS Carney, a Navy destroyer, detected a ballistic missile fired at the Bahamas-flagged bulk carrier Unity Explorer, but later shot down a drone. The Unity Explorer was hit with a missile, later resulting in minor damage. The Panamanian-flagged bulk carriers Number 9 and Sophie II were also struck. The Number 9 reported some damage, while the Sophie II remained relatively unaffected by the attack.
Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed two of the attacks, warning Israeli ships from navigating the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, threatening them to not be “legitimate targets” if they violate warnings.
Iran has yet to directly address the attacks, but Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian warned that the region could “enter a new phase” due to ongoing tensions related to the Israel-Hamas war.
Global shipping operations and the ongoing conflict have raised concerns of further escalations. Just six months ago, the Houthis seized a vehicle transport ship in the Red Sea, and attacks on U.S. warships in the region have previously led to American retaliation.
Following Sunday’s events, the U.S. launched a new threat against Iran and warned to “consider all appropriate responses”, raising concerns of a broader retaliatory military conflict in the region.