The US military said on Monday that it had struck explosive uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) operated by Houthi rebels in Yemen, days after a wave of joint strikes with Britain aimed at stopping continued attacks on international shipping.
“US forces identified the explosive USVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to US Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region,” Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.
The strikes against the two USVs, essentially explosive-laden drone boats, were carried out at 3:30 PM local time (1230 GMT), CENTCOM said, and follow repeated unilateral and joint actions taken by the United States against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, whose attacks in solidarity with Palestinians in war-battered Gaza have disrupted global trade.
On the same night, a British-owned cargo ship was damaged in a drone attack off Yemen, a maritime security firm said on Tuesday, the latest in dozens of incidents in the Red Sea. The attack was later claimed by the Houthis.
The Barbados-flagged ship “reportedly incurred minor damage on the port side” in an attack west of Hodeida, British firm Ambrey said, adding that there were no injuries.
The ship speeded up and performed “evasive manoeuvres” before continuing south toward the Bab al-Mandeb strait, the firm said.
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who control much of the war-torn country, have been harassing Red Sea shipping for months in protest against the Israel-Hamas war.
Their attacks have triggered reprisals by American and British forces, including a wave of air strikes that hit dozens of targets late on Saturday.
With AFP
