Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia declared on Thursday that they had fired missiles at a “British ship” off the country’s coast, marking the latest incident in a series of disruptions to global shipping. The announcement followed reports from maritime security agencies of an attack east of Yemen’s Aden.
The United States revealed on Thursday that it had seized an Iranian weapons shipment in January, intended for the Houthis, as part of efforts to counter Houthi attacks on the crucial shipping route through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.
The Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, stated on social media that they carried out a military operation targeting a British ship in the Gulf of Aden, claiming a “direct” hit. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported an explosion near a ship, affirming the vessel’s safety as it sailed to its next port.
Security firm Ambrey reported that a bulk carrier was targeted by an explosive projectile east of Aden, causing minor damage. The Houthis have been conducting attacks on shipping since November in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The US has accused Iran of supporting Houthi attacks on commercial ships by providing drones, missiles, and tactical intelligence. The US military seized advanced conventional weapons originating in Iran bound for Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen on January 28.
CENTCOM chief Michael Erik Kurilla emphasized that this seizure is another example of Iran’s malign activity in the region, undermining the safety of international shipping. The US has conducted self-defense strikes against Houthi targets, aiming to deter further attacks, prompting Houthi leader Abdul Malik Al-Houthi to warn against European involvement in the conflict.