What to Know:
The Houthis have released a statement saying that their latest attack in the Red Sea came as an “initial response” to American naval helicopters killing 10 of its fighters on New Year’s Eve as they attacked a commercial shipping vessel.
Statement:
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea released a video statement that said:
“With the help of God Almighty, the naval forces, the missile force, and the unmanned air force of the Yemeni armed forces carried out a joint military operation with a large number of ballistic and naval missiles and drones, targeting an American ship that was providing support to the Zionist entity.
The operation came as an initial response to the treacherous attack on our naval forces by the American enemy forces
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— ?????? ???? ???? (@army21ye) January 10, 2024
The Yemeni Armed Forces affirm that they will not hesitate to deal appropriately with all hostile threats within the right of legitimate defense of our country, our people, and our nation.
The Yemeni armed forces continue to prevent Israeli ships or those heading to the ports of occupied Palestine from navigating in the Arab and Red Seas until the aggression stops and the siege on our steadfast brothers in the Gaza Strip is lifted.
The Yemeni Armed Forces confirm their full commitment to the continuation of shipping traffic in the Red and Arabian Seas to all destinations except the ports of occupied Palestine.”
The Attack:
According to the United States Central Command, Houthi forces ” launched a complex attack of Iranian designed one-way attack UAVs (OWA UAVs), anti-ship cruise missiles, and an anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into the Southern Red Sea, towards international shipping lanes where dozens of merchant vessels were transiting.”
Overnight @HMSDiamond alongside US vessels repelled the largest and most complex attack by Houthis in the Red Sea to date.
Nearly 15% of global seaborne trade passes through the Red Sea.
Attacks to commercial shipping jeopardise the movement of goods worldwide. pic.twitter.com/ihOoyK7Hje
— Ministry of Defence ?? (@DefenceHQ) January 10, 2024
“Eighteen OWA UAVs, two anti-ship cruise missiles, and one anti-ship ballistic missile were shot down by a combined effort of F/A-18s from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), USS Gravely (DDG 107), USS Laboon (DDG 58), USS Mason (DDG 87), and the United Kingdom’s HMS Diamond (D34),” the statement added.
The UK described the attack as the “the largest from the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea to date.”
Why this Matters:
This attack comes as the United States, the UK, and several other partner nations released a joint statement on January 3 warning the Houthis to immediately cease attacks in the Red Sea or “bear the responsibility for the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, or the free flow of commerce in the region’s critical waterways.”
"The Houthis will bear the responsibility of the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and free flow of commerce in the region’s critical waterways."https://t.co/deS2Em4a9z via @whitehouse pic.twitter.com/7I9oRbjlrR
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 3, 2024
Attacks have continued despite the warnings, but so far there has not been any collective action by the maritime coalition, however, American and UK media have reported for the past two weeks that strike options against the Houthis in Yemen are being weighed.
The Houthis have warned that any strikes against Yemen would amount to war.