This image obtained from the US Central Command (CENTCOM) on March 6, 2024 shows a Barbados-flagged, Liberian-owned bulk carrier after it was hit by anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) launched by Houthi rebels. (HANDOUT / CENTCOM / AFP)

SANAA / ADEN - Yemen's Houthi group on Saturday claimed responsibility for two attacks against a Singapore-flagged commercial vessel, which the group claimed was American-owned, and several US Navy warships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The attacks occurred on Friday, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement.

Their "naval forces carried out two qualitative military operations. The first targeted the American ship Propel Fortune in the Gulf of Aden with a number of suitable naval missiles, while the second operation targeted a number of American warships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, using 37 drones," Sarea said in the statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.

The Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since mid-November last year in what they say is a campaign of solidarity with Palestinians during the conflict in Gaza

"We will continue our operations in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden until Israel stops its aggression and blockade on the Palestinian people in Gaza," he added.

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Also on Saturday, the US Central Command wrote on the social media platform X that its forces stationed in the Red Sea had intercepted and shot down 15 drones launched from the areas under Houthi control in Yemen towards the US Navy warships, adding that it struck two Houthi missiles in self-defense.

It said the Propel Fortune is a Singapore-flagged, -owned, and -operated vessel and the missiles did not impact it.

The Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since mid-November last year in what they say is a campaign of solidarity with Palestinians during the conflict in Gaza.

The US and British naval forces have responded with dozens of airstrikes against Houthi targets to deter the group. However, the Houthis intensified their attacks.

Meanhile, Salvage efforts began on Saturday to tow a cargo ship that was struck by Houthi missile attacks in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Yemen, a Yemeni coast guard official told Xinhua.

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The pro-government Yemeni official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that "a technical salvage team has initiated the process of towing the crippled M/V True Confidence after successfully bringing a substantial onboard fire under control in recent days."

"The plan is to tow the M/V True Confidence, laden with wood, iron, and civilian transport buses, to the coast of Djibouti," he said.

This black-and-white image released by the US military's Central Command shows the fire aboard the bulk carrier True Confidence after a missile attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels in the Gulf of Aden on March 6, 2024. (HANDOUT / US CENTRAL COMMAND VIA AP)

The cargo ship sustained significant damage when it was struck by Houthi missiles on Wednesday, resulting in casualties and a massive onboard fire.

On Thursday, the US Central Command said that an anti-ship ballistic missile impacted the cargo ship approximately 50 nautical miles southwest of Aden, igniting a fire onboard and prompting the crew's abandonment of the stricken vessel.

READ MORE: Houthis say if Israeli 'aggression' stops, they may halt attacks

CENTCOM confirmed three crew members died in the strike, and at least four others sustained injuries, with three in critical condition. The military authority condemned the "reckless" Houthi actions as disruptive to global maritime commerce.

For their part, the Houthis claimed responsibility for targeting the ship, alleging the "accurate" missile attack came in response to the ship's crew disregarding prior warning from the group's naval forces. At the same time, they identified the ship as American-owned.