Houthis Supported by Iranian Government Fire Missiles at Two Ships in the Red Sea

A spokesman for the Houthis announced on Tuesday morning that this Iran-backed group has fired missiles at two ships in the Red Sea, causing minor damage to a cargo ship moving along the coast of Hodeidah, Yemen. According to Reuters, the Houthis have targeted commercial vessels with drones and missiles in the Red Sea since mid-November last year, describing these actions as solidarity with Palestinians against Israel in the Gaza war. The Houthi military spokesman stated that the group's missiles were fired at two ships, Morning Tide and Star Nasia, which they claimed were English and American, while these ships were actually sailing under the flags of the Marshall Islands and Barbados. The British maritime security company, Ambrey, reported today that a general cargo ship flying the Barbados flag, owned by a British company, was damaged by a drone attack while moving southeast through the Red Sea. According to Ambrey, there were no casualties reported, and the ship continued its journey after some maneuvers. The British company Furadino Shipping, which owns the second ship named Morning Tide, told Reuters that the ship is currently moving without issues but did not provide further information. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported early Tuesday morning GMT that it received a report of a projectile fired at a ship located west of Hodeidah, with a small vessel seen nearby. According to this agency, the projectile passed over the ship's deck and caused minor damage to the bridge windows, but the ship and crew were unharmed and continued on their planned route. Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have disrupted global shipping, forcing companies to reroute to longer and more costly journeys around southern Africa, raising concerns that the Israel-Hamas war may escalate and destabilize the Middle East. The United States and Britain have been attacking Iran-backed Houthi targets in Yemen for about a month in retaliation for attacks on maritime vessels in the Red Sea. The U.S. military announced that its forces conducted an attack on two explosive drone boats belonging to the Houthis on Monday afternoon, Yemen time, which they claimed posed an imminent threat to U.S. Navy vessels and commercial ships in the region. The U.S. retaliatory military campaign continues; Houthi positions in Yemen have been bombed while Yemen's Prime Minister has changed amidst ongoing international coalition attacks on Houthi positions. Exclusive: Bradesky: Biden is 'not too scary' for the Islamic Republic; Slavin: The Iranian government has realized the U.S. 'red line.' Military operations by the U.S. and allies against the Houthis; anti-ship cruise missiles and '36 other targets' in Yemen have been attacked. U.S. and British attacks on Houthi positions; the Islamic Republic has warned about 'suspicious vessels.' A Houthi spokesman stated that they will not leave U.S. and British airstrikes in Yemen 'unanswered.' The U.S. military reported the destruction of 12 Houthi drones.