Following a joint statement by 12 nations, including the US, Britain, and Japan, Houthis proceed with an attack, risking unspecified repercussions.
A Houthi drone boat laden with explosives detonated in the Red Sea on Thursday, failing to inflict damage or casualties, according to the U.S. Navy. Despite international calls to cease, the Yemen-based group persists in its attacks, with the latest incident occurring a day after a joint statement by 12 countries, including the U.S, Britain, and Japan, warning of unspecified consequences. The Iran-aligned Houthis, controlling much of Yemen, continue their assault with drones and missiles, citing opposition to Israel’s military actions in Gaza since Nov. 19.
The Houthi offensive has significantly disrupted global shipping, leading certain companies to halt Red Sea transits and opt for a more extended and expensive route around Africa. Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Naval forces in the Middle East, informed reporters that the Houthi explosive boat traveled approximately 50 miles (80 km) into the Red Sea before detonating in heavily trafficked shipping lanes on Thursday.
Vice Admiral Brad Cooper reported that the Houthi explosive boat approached within a few miles of both merchant and U.S. Navy ships in the area. The attack unfolded in the vicinity, with no clear indication of the intended target. Cooper highlighted that this incident marks the 25th attack by the Houthis on merchant vessels in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. He expressed concern, stating that there are no indications of the group’s reckless conduct diminishing.
On Sunday, U.S. warships thwarted three Houthi speed boats attempting to hijack a commercial vessel. A senior Biden administration official affirmed on Wednesday that a repeat scenario would likely elicit the same response. Emphasizing the clarity of the 12-nation warning to the Houthis, the official, speaking anonymously, stated, “I would not anticipate another warning.
“At the United Nations, a U.S. representative informed the Security Council that the Red Sea situation had reached an “inflection point.” Regarding the possibility of strikes under Operation Prosperity Guardian, Vice Admiral Brad Cooper clarified the coalition’s purely defensive nature, noting any offensive actions would constitute a separate operation.
Despite Houthi claims targeting vessels with Israeli connections, numerous attacked ships lacked such ties, prompting major shipping lines to suspend Red Sea operations. Cooper underscored the global impact, revealing that the attacked ships had direct ties to 55 countries, emphasizing the urgent need for the Houthi attacks to cease in adherence to international law.
Dhairya Saraswat