Houthis Escalate Maritime Attacks Amid Gaza Conflict

Yemen's Houthi rebels have intensified maritime attacks on vessels, including an oil tanker, in response to Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. They have employed drones and booby-trapped boats, affecting global shipping routes, particularly in the Red and Mediterranean seas. U.S. and British forces have retaliated against these threats.

Yemen's Houthis targeted three vessels, including an oil tanker, in the Red and Mediterranean seas with ballistic missiles, drones, and booby-trapped boats, they said on Monday.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree indicated the latest operations were a response to an Israeli airstrike on Khan Younis, Gaza, which killed at least 90 Palestinians and injured 300 others. Since November, dozens of Houthi attacks have sunk two vessels, seized another, and killed three sailors, severely disrupting global trade by compelling ship owners to bypass the Suez Canal.

The Houthis have become increasingly effective, using unmanned armed watercraft to target ships' waterlines. Saree announced that the Bentley I and Chios Lion oil tankers in the Red Sea were recently attacked, with U.S. Central Command confirming no damage or casualties. Additionally, Houthis, in collaboration with the Iraqi Islamic Resistance, targeted the Olvia in the Mediterranean.

On Monday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations reported attacks on two vessels near Yemen's port city of Hodeidah. One vessel sustained damage from a drone boat, while another was assailed by three small watercraft, one of which was unmanned and collided with the ship. Despite these attacks, both vessels and their crews were reported as safe.

Since November, Houthi militancy in Yemen has seen a surge in drone and missile strikes on Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping lanes, actions claimed to be in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. U.S. and British retaliatory strikes have targeted Houthi drones and attack sites.

The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency reports that these Houthi attacks have impacted the interests of 65 countries and major energy and shipping companies globally.

(With inputs from agencies.)