Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for missile attacks on a Belize-flagged ship in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, forcing its crew to abandon the vessel. Another vessel also came under attack twice in the Gulf of Aden, Associated Press reports.
The attacked ship, identified as the Rubymar, sustained heavy damage and Houthi Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed that the vessel later sunk. Another vessel, the Sea Champion, was also reportedly attacked in the Gulf of Aden later in the day. Additionally, the Houthis claimed to have shot down an American MQ-9 Reaper drone near Yemen’s port city of Hodeida.
The US military conducted airstrikes targeting Houthi military equipment in response, including anti-ship cruise missiles, explosive-carrying drone boats, and an unmanned underwater vessel. Multiple vessels have been targeted by the Houthis in recent months, posing a threat to shipping in the region.
