CENTCOM reported no injuries or damage resulting from the thwarted attack, marking the 26th incident of Houthi aggression against commercial shipping routes in the Red Sea since November 19. The Houthi rebels, supported by Iran, have escalated their assaults on commercial vessels in protest against Israel's ongoing conflict in Gaza. This has prompted various shipping lines to suspend operations, opting for longer routes around Africa.
The Houthi rebels have declared their intent to persist with these attacks until Israel ceases its actions in Gaza, also issuing a warning that they would target U.S. warships if the militia group came under direct attack.
In addition, CENTCOM highlighted that the Houthis carried out a sophisticated attack involving Iranian-designed one-way attack UAVs, anti-ship cruise missiles, and an anti-ship ballistic missile from their controlled territories in Yemen into the Southern Red Sea.
Since the seizure of the Galaxy Leader, a truck carrier traveling from Turkey to India, on November 19, the Houthi rebels have persistently targeted Red Sea shipping channels. The rebels initiated these attacks in response to Israel's actions in Gaza.
During the recent operation, four destroyers, including one from the UK, and fighter jets from the Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier were involved. The Houthis reiterated their commitment to continue their assaults until Israel ceased hostilities in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Yemen's Houthis have launched multiple drone and missile attacks at Israel, with most being intercepted. The ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which commenced on October 7, resulted from thousands of Hamas terrorists crossing the border and causing casualties among Israelis.
In parallel developments, the UN Security Council is set to vote on January 10 on a U.S.-submitted draft resolution denouncing attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea. The resolution calls for an immediate cessation of such acts and the release of the Galaxy Leader and its crew.
