Houthis launch new round of attacks on merchant ships

According to reports from forces in the Red Sea, Yemen’s Houthi rebels carried out a new series of rocket attacks. The latest action appeared to come hours after news of Israel’s actions around the southern Gaza town of Rahaf and after Houthi threats to expand their attacks on commercial shipping in response to such action.

The captain of an unidentified merchant vessel reported two explosions in “immediate proximity” to his ship this morning, May 7th. According to the British Maritime Trade Organization, the ship was 82 nautical miles south of Aden, Yemen. The position would place the ship near Djibouti at the southern end of the Red Sea. The ship and its crew were reported safe.

Yesterday morning, May 6, US Central Command also reported its first battle with the Houthis in four days. US forces successfully attacked and destroyed an unmanned aerial system (UAS) launched by the Houthis over the Red Sea on Monday morning. Last week, on May 2, the US reported that it had destroyed three unmanned aerial systems (UAS). There had previously been several missions over several days at the end of April after a previous break of almost two weeks.

The EU force Operation Aspides also reported a battle on May 6th. The Italian frigate pheasant, which only joined the campaign at the end of April, reported its second commitment within a week. Yesterday, the warship was protecting an unnamed merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden when they identified a Houthi-fired drone in the area. The pheasant shot down a UAV.

The French Navy also reported that it shot down a drone on May 4th. The incident also occurred while she was protecting merchant ships in the Red Sea.

The Houthis said last week that they would expand their attacks and use their expanded reach to threaten shipping if Israel took action against Rahaf. In response, shipping companies such as Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd reported increasing their diversions.

The international force also reports a rotation of assets in the region. After Italy replaced its frigate with another at the end of April, Aspides reported the ship to the Belgian Navy. Louise Marie, a Karel Doorman-class frigate, began operations. At the same time, the US Navy reported the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney left for the Atlantic at the end of April. It was instrumental in several shoot-downs and was reportedly targeted by the Houthis after the start of the Red Sea defense mission. The US also reportedly relocated the USS Dwight D Eisenhower back to the Red Sea after the aircraft carrier was escorted by the USS Serious briefly went to the Mediterranean and visited Crete.