Houthis Claim Attack on Two American Destroyers; U.S. Official: No Information Available

Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed on Wednesday that they targeted the container ship 'Uno' in the Red Sea and two American destroyers in the Gulf of Aden. However, the management of the container ship stated that it was not hit and its crew is safe. According to Reuters, earlier Yahya Saree, the military spokesman for the Houthis, stated that the Houthi 'air force' targeted the American destroyer 'Cole' with several drones and the American destroyer 'Laboon' with several ballistic missiles. Saree mentioned that the Liberian-flagged cargo ship 'Uno' was also targeted with ballistic missiles and drones. The management of the container ship based in Athens said in a statement to Reuters that the ship and its crew are safe and that no incident has affected its operations. An American official also stated that there is no data or information confirming the Houthis' claims regarding the attack on the two warships. The Iran-aligned Houthi militants have been conducting missile and drone attacks on ships in vital shipping channels in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and Gulf of Aden since November, in an effort to show their support for the Palestinians in the Gaza war. Some Western experts say these attacks are actually carried out under the orders and with the assistance of the Islamic Republic. On a day of significant confrontations, CENTCOM reported at least seven threats were neutralized against Houthi rebels in Yemen, confirming a missile attack on a commercial ship near Yemen, with no damage reported. The U.S. and Saudi Arabia exerted pressure, leading to Russia's withdrawal; the Houthis were deprived of military supplies. CENTCOM reported the destruction of a Houthi missile and launcher.