Yemen's Legitimate Government Confirms Death of at Least 11 in US and UK Attacks on Houthi Positions

The spokesperson for Yemen's legitimate government stated that airstrikes attributed to the US and UK coalition on cities controlled by Houthi rebels in Yemen have resulted in at least 11 deaths and 14 injuries. The Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah news network reported on Monday evening that the port city of Al-Hudaydah and other coastal areas in western Yemen were hit by airstrikes from the coalition at least 17 times. These attacks followed a Houthi assault on a cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden last Wednesday, which killed three crew members, injured several others, and caused significant damage to the ship's hull. Despite retaliatory actions by the US and UK coalition and other naval fleets in the Red Sea, the Houthis have intensified their attacks on commercial vessels in one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. The rebel group claims to be attacking ships that are either originating from or destined for Israel or are linked to the US, in support of the people of Gaza and in protest against the war between Israel and Hamas. This claim is quickly dismissed when looking at the attacks that have occurred so far. Many ships now prefer to take a longer and more expensive route around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa to avoid Houthi attacks, instead of the route through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, which significantly increases transportation costs and ultimately leads to higher prices for goods. The ongoing insecurity in the Red Sea caused by the Iran-backed Houthis; several drones and missiles were destroyed by the coalition. CENTCOM forces shot down 15 Houthi drones. Two explosions occurred near a ship in the Gulf of Aden; the crew was unharmed. CENTCOM shot down four missiles and four drones from the Iran-backed Houthis. The CENTCOM commander stated that the Islamic Republic has turned the Middle East into a 'hotbed of crises.'