Houthi Attacks on a Ship in the Red Sea

The UK Maritime Trade Operations Center announced on Thursday, October 11, that a ship in the Red Sea was targeted by Houthi attacks supported by the Iranian government. According to the Associated Press, the center reported that during this attack, a ship near the eastern coast of Africa was hit by a projectile, causing damage to the vessel, but did not result in a fire or injuries. Additionally, two other projectiles struck the waters surrounding the ship. This ship was located far from the port of Hodeidah, where many Houthi rebel attacks originate. The Iranian-supported Houthi rebels did not immediately claim responsibility for the attack, although it typically takes them several hours or even days to do so. This attack occurred while the Houthis continue to threaten ships passing through the vital Red Sea waterway. This waterway sees the passage of goods worth one trillion dollars annually and has faced increased threats amid Middle Eastern tensions and the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Houthi militants in Yemen, who are supported by the Islamic Republic, have been carrying out multiple attacks on international ships off the Yemeni coast in the Red Sea since last November in support of Hamas, another group backed by the Islamic Republic, in its conflict with Israel, disrupting international maritime trade. They have targeted over 80 commercial vessels with missiles and drones. They have also seized one ship and sunk two others, resulting in the deaths of four sailors during these attacks. Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by the US-led coalition in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets. This group has also conducted several missile attacks against Israel. Recently, a group of independent experts responsible for providing an annual report to the UN Security Council stated in their latest report that Houthi militia forces have received tactical and technical training from members of the Revolutionary Guards, Hezbollah, and Iraqi specialists using fake passports and traveling to three countries: Iran, Lebanon, and Iraq. Netanyahu's conversation with Biden regarding the response to the Islamic Republic's missile attack was described by the White House as 'clear and substantive.' Reports from Reuters highlighted the role of Iranian proxy groups in the war with Israel in the West. CENTCOM attacked fifteen Houthi positions; military bases and an airport controlled by the Houthis were targeted. The US has sanctioned Houthi arms supply networks. Two ships near the port of Hodeidah in Yemen were targeted by missile and drone attacks.