Yemen-based Houthi Rebels Launch Missiles at U.S.-Owned Merchant Vessel
On Thursday, Yemen-based Houthi rebels launched missiles at a U.S.-owned merchant vessel, according to the Pentagon. This marks the third attack of its kind this week, as the Iranian-backed militant group continues to target commercial vessels in and around the Red Sea.
The attack took place at approximately 9 p.m. local time, when Houthi rebels fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles at the M/V Chem Ranger. The ship, which is owned by the United States and flies under a Marshal Islands flag, was targeted by the militants.
Details regarding the exact location of the ship at the time of the attack have not been confirmed by CENTCOM, the U.S. Central Command.
Since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people and triggered the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, Houthi rebels have intensified their assaults on merchant ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The rebels, who control significant portions of Yemen, claim that these attacks are aimed at supporting Palestinians.
US Launches Strikes on Houthi Targets in Yemen
Following weeks of warnings from US officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the US launched a series of strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen on January 12. Despite these missile strikes, the Houthis have declared their intention to continue their assault in the Red Sea.
On Monday and Wednesday night, a Houthi-fired drone caused damage to the M/V Genco Picardy in the Gulf of Aden, according to CENTCOM. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported.
The Gibraltar Eagle and the Genco Picardy, both US-owned and sailing under Marshal Islands flags, have been affected by the ongoing conflict.
In response to the situation, the State Department announced on Wednesday that it was reclassifying the Houthis as a "specially designated global terrorist group." This decision reverses part of a previous ruling made in February 2021.
The White House has repeatedly accused Iran of involvement in the Houthis' Red Sea attacks, although Tehran has denied these allegations.
Breaking News: Pentagon Seizes Boatload of Weapons Sent to Houthis
According to the latest reports, the Pentagon has announced that it successfully seized a boatload of "advanced conventional weapons" that were being sent from Iran to the Houthis. This incident took place over the weekend and has raised concerns about Iran's involvement in the ongoing conflict in Yemen.
This seizure by the Pentagon highlights the continued efforts by Iran to support the Houthis, who have been engaged in a long-standing conflict with the Yemeni government. The weapons that were intercepted are said to be advanced and could have had a significant impact on the balance of power in the region.
The United States has been closely monitoring Iran's actions in the Middle East and has repeatedly expressed its concerns about Iran's support for militant groups. This latest incident serves as a clear example of Iran's involvement in destabilizing the region and poses a threat to the security of neighboring countries.
The international community has called on Iran to cease its support for the Houthis and to respect the sovereignty of Yemen. The United Nations and other organizations have been working towards finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Yemen, but Iran's continued interference only complicates these efforts.
It remains to be seen how Iran will respond to this seizure by the Pentagon and whether it will have any impact on their support for the Houthis. The situation in Yemen continues to be a major concern for the international community, and efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution must be intensified.
