US hits targets in Yemen as Huthis vow to step up Red Sea attacks | Global News

US hits targets in Yemen as Huthis vow to step up Red Sea attacks

/ 03:11 PM March 12, 2024

Yemeni pro-government fighters from the UAE-trained Giants Brigade, gather on the outskirts of Ataq city, east of the Red Sea port of Aden, on their way to the frontline facing pro-Iran Huthi fighters, on January 28, 2022. The clashes are part of a major escalation in the seven-year war after the Iran-backed Huthis, following a series of territorial defeats, launched a deadly drone-and-missile attack on the UAE last week.Saleh Al-OBEIDI / AFP

Yemeni pro-government fighters from the UAE-trained Giants Brigade gather on the outskirts of Ataq city, east of the Red Sea port of Aden, on their way to the frontline facing pro-Iran Huthi fighters, on January 28, 2022. The clashes are part of a major escalation in the seven-year war after the Iran-backed Huthis, following a series of territorial defeats, launched a deadly drone-and-missile attack on the UAE last week. (File photo by Saleh Al-OBEIDI / AFP)

US forces said they destroyed an underwater drone and nearly 20 ballistic missiles in a series of strikes against Yemen’s Huthi rebels, who threatened on Tuesday to step up their attacks in the Red Sea during Ramadan.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement Monday night that the strikes were carried out after the Huthis fired two missiles towards a Singaporean-owned, Liberian-flagged merchant ship called the Pinocchio.

Article continues after this advertisement

“The missiles did not impact the vessel and there were no injuries or damage reported,” CENTCOM said.

FEATURED STORIES

Hours later, it added, US forces “conducted six self-defense strikes destroying an unmanned underwater vessel and 18 anti-ship missiles in Houthi controlled areas of Yemen.”

The Huthis claimed responsibility for the attack on the Pinocchio in a statement early Tuesday, maintaining the missile strike “was accurate.”

Article continues after this advertisement

The British maritime security agency UKMTO had previously said a ship in the area “reported a sound of an explosion” in its vicinity southwest of the Yemeni port of Salif, and that US-led coalition forces were investigating.

Article continues after this advertisement

The Huthi statement went on to say that “military operations will be escalated… during the month of Ramadan.”

Article continues after this advertisement

The attacks would be “in support of the oppressed Palestinian people” and those in the Gaza Strip, the Huthi’s military spokesman Yahya Saree said.

Since November, the Iran-backed Huthis, who control the capital Sanaa, have been attacking ships in the Red Sea, in professed solidarity with Palestinians during the Israel’s war against Hamas militants in Gaza.

Article continues after this advertisement

The attacks have sent insurance costs spiralling for vessels plying the key trade route and prompted many shipping firms to take the far longer passage around the southern tip of Africa instead.

Since January, the United States and Britain have launched repeated strikes on Huthi targets in Yemen in response to the attacks, but the actions have not deterred the rebels.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Ramadan, strikes, United States

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.