Yemen’s Houthi rebels report two attacks in the Gulf of Aden, and another unreported attack in the Indian Ocean

JERUSALEM – Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed Thursday that there had been two rocket attacks on two Panama-flagged container ships in the Gulf of Aden that caused no damage.

Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree’s claims came as the pace of rebel attacks has slowed in recent weeks as they have been repeatedly hit by airstrikes from a U.S.-led coalition warship on waterways crucial to international trade. The Houthis insist their attacks will continue as long as Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip continues.

Saree alleged attacks on the MSC Diego and MSC Gina in a pre-recorded statement. The Joint Maritime Information Center, a U.S.-led coalition of nations operating in the Middle East, said those two missile attacks occurred early Tuesday.

“No one was hit and all crew on board are safe,” the center said. “The last report was that the ships were heading to the next port of call.”

The center added that the ships were targeted “likely due to perceived affiliation with Israel.”

Both ships were sailing for Geneva-based Mediterranean Shipping Co., which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Saree did not say why it took two days for the rebels to claim the attacks. He also claimed that the Houthis attacked the MSC Vittoria, another container ship, in the Indian Ocean. However, no authority has confirmed an attack on this ship.

The Houthis say their attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden are aimed at pressuring Israel to end its war against Hamas in Gaza, which has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians there. The war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 others hostage.

According to the US Maritime Administration, the Houthis have carried out more than 50 attacks on ships since November, hijacking one vessel and sinking another. Shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has declined due to the threat.