Continued Houthi Attacks on Ships; Reports of Two Missiles Exploding Near Aden Port

The UK Maritime Trade Operations Center announced on Friday, January 26, that it received a report of two missiles exploding in the waters around a ship near Aden port in Yemen. The center warned that the ship and its crew are safe and no damage has been reported. According to this warning, the ship is moving to its next port and coalition forces are responding to the incident. The UK Maritime Trade Operations Center also reported a separate incident on the same day involving a ship approximately 60 nautical miles (111 kilometers) from the port of Hodeidah in the Red Sea, where Houthi militants have attacked commercial vessels. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) also reported on Friday, January 26, that Houthi militants supported by the Islamic Republic launched a missile attack on the USS Carney destroyer. CENTCOM stated that the American destroyer successfully intercepted the Houthi missile and that this missile attack did not result in casualties or financial damage. According to CENTCOM, the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile at the USS Carney around 1:30 PM local time from areas under their control in Yemen. The Houthi rebels, affiliated with the Islamic Republic of Iran, are a Shia Islamist political and military organization that controls about a third of Yemen's most populous areas. Since mid-November, they have repeatedly launched drones and missiles at commercial ships. Many Western experts believe that the Houthi attacks on ships are carried out at the behest of the Islamic Republic, with military and intelligence support from Tehran. The Houthis claim that these attacks are a response to Israeli military actions in Gaza. Their attacks have shaken the global shipping industry, causing several major companies to halt their voyages in the Red Sea and choose longer and more expensive routes around Africa. Despite repeated warnings from the United States and numerous airstrikes against their positions by the US and UK in the past two weeks, the Houthis have not ceased their attacks on commercial vessels. The previous day, the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned four senior officials of the Houthi militant group (officially known as Ansar Allah) for supporting terrorist activities and targeting commercial ships. Simultaneously, the UK also imposed sanctions on these senior Houthi officials. Additionally, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on January 17 that the Houthis (officially known as Ansar Allah) will be designated as an international terrorist group in 30 days. CENTCOM: The American destroyer intercepted missiles from the Houthi militants supported by the Islamic Republic. The US and UK again attacked 'Houthi targets' in Yemen. The US: The Houthis' claim of a 'successful attack' on the American ship is 'clearly incorrect.' A senior US military official stated that the Islamic Republic has a 'direct role' in the Houthi attacks on ships. Reuters: The Islamic Republic and Hezbollah are assisting the Houthis in their attacks in the Red Sea.