America launches rapid attacks on Houthi Rebels, targets underwater drones

Amid rising tensions in the Red Sea, America carried out five strikes in Houthi controlled areas of Yemen. US Central Command said in a statement that three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, an unmanned surface ship and an unmanned amphibious assault ship were attacked. The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center reported that the ship targeted in the Houthi attack reported sustaining damage after the explosion. It said that the crew on board the ship is safe.

Private security firm Ambre said the British-registered, Lebanese-operated cargo ship was headed to Bulgaria after leaving Khorfakkan in the United Arab Emirates. Ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic.com analyzed by the Associated Press identified the targeted ship as the Rubymar. Its Beirut-based manager could not immediately be reached for comment. Embrey described the ship as partially loaded with cargo, but it was not immediately clear what it was carrying. The ship switched off its automatic identification system tracker in the Persian Gulf earlier this month. The Houthis did not immediately claim the attack. General Yahya Sari said a statement on their activities was likely to be issued sometime on Monday morning.

The rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea and surrounding waters in response to Israel’s war targeting Hamas in the Gaza Strip since November. They have often targeted ships with no apparent ties to Israel, endangering shipping on a key trade route between Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Those ships include at least one ship with cargo destined for Iran, its main beneficiary.