Published: 09:46, June 6, 2024
Yemen's Houthis claim fresh attacks against 3 ships in Red Sea, Arabian Sea
By Xinhua
In this image obtained from the US Central Command on March 6, 2024 shows the Barbados-flagged, Liberian-owned bulk carrier after it was hit by anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) launched from Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. (PHOTO / CENTCOM VIA AFP)

SANAA - Yemen's Houthi group on Wednesday said it has launched missile and drone attacks against three ships transiting the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, the group's military spokesman said in a statement.

The group conducted two operations in the Red Sea, targeting the ROZA ship and the Vantage Dream ship with a number of missiles and drones, Yahya Sarea said in the statement aired by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.

READ MORE: US Navy says Yemen's Houthis launched 2 ballistic missiles into Red Sea, no damage

"The two companies have violated the (Houthis') decision that banned entry of ships to the ports of occupied Palestine (Israel)," he said.

"The third operation targeted the American ship, Maersk Seletar with a number of drones in the eastern part of the Arabian Sea," he added.

READ MORE: Yemen's Houthis launch 2nd strike on US aircraft carrier in less than 24 hours

We will "continue to carry out military operations in support of Palestinian people until the (Israeli) aggression stops and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted," the Houthi military spokesman added.

On Tuesday, the US Central Command said in a statement on X that the Houthi group launched two ballistic missiles into the Red Sea. "There were no injuries or damage reported by US, coalition, or commercial ships," it said.

READ MORE: Houthi TV: US-British strikes leave 14 dead in Yemen

Since November last year, the Houthi group began to launch anti-ship ballistic missiles and drones targeting what they said were Israeli-linked ships transiting the Red Sea, to show solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

READ MORE: Yemen's Houthis say they shot down an MQ-9 Reaper drone

In response, the US-British naval coalition stationed in the waters has since January conducted regular air raids and missile strikes against Houthi targets to deter the group, but this only led to an expansion of Houthi attacks to include US and British commercial vessels and naval ships.