Houthi Militants Claim Drone Attack on Four Ships in Haifa Port

According to Reuters, Houthi militants from Yemen announced that in a joint operation with the Iraqi Islamic Resistance group, they targeted four ships in Haifa port in northern Israel. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated in a televised announcement that the two groups attacked two cement tankers and two cargo ships in Haifa port using drones on Saturday. He added that these ships belonged to companies that 'violated the ban on entering Israeli ports.' The Houthis emphasized that they will continue their cooperation and joint operations with the 'Islamic Resistance of Iraq' in support of and for the victory of the Palestinians until the 'aggressions' cease and the 'blockade of Gaza' is lifted. The Israeli army has not yet responded to this claim, although it had previously rejected a similar claim from the Houthis earlier this month. Saree also announced that as part of their campaign to disrupt maritime transport in key waterways, the Houthis attacked the Shorthorn Express ship in the Mediterranean Sea using a drone. They describe this action as a gesture of solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza war. Since last November, the Houthis have repeatedly targeted commercial ships in the Red Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, and Gulf of Aden with drone and missile attacks; they have sunk one ship, seized another, and killed three sailors in separate attacks, causing disruptions in global transport and significantly increasing time and costs in the supply chain. They claim these attacks are conducted to express solidarity with the Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas. The renewed attack by the Iranian-backed Houthis on a ship in the Gulf of Aden coincides with U.S. Secretary of State's emphasis on Washington's commitment to Israel's security while seeking a ceasefire in Gaza, and the U.S. military and coalition forces' confrontation with the Houthis, resulting in the destruction of nine drones.