Houthi Rebels Shoot Down US Drone, Attack UK Ship with Naval Missiles

The latest televised address from the Houthis’ military spokesman, Yahya Saree, claimed responsibility for targeting the “British oil ship Andromeda Star” in the Red Sea with naval missiles. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the vessel sustained minor damage but is continuing its journey unimpeded.

No injuries were reported among the maritime military coalition deployed in the area to counter such attacks. Saree also announced the downing of a MQ-9 Reaper drone operated by the US military, stating it was shot down while conducting hostile missions in the airspace of Yemen’s Saada governorate.

CBS News confirmed the crash of an MQ-9 inside Yemen, sparking an ongoing investigation, as reported by Al Jazeera. This marks the third US drone shot down by the Houthis since the conflict began, with previous incidents occurring in November and February.

Despite these incidents, the Houthis have remained silent on further attacks against vessels in nearby waters, although the US military reported anti-ship missiles being fired at the MV MAISH, a vessel flying the Antigua/Barbados flag. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed two attacks on a vessel, likely the MV Andromeda Star, near al-Mukha (Mocha) in Yemen.

The Houthi military’s recent activity follows their claim of targeting the “Israeli ship MSC Darwin” in the Gulf of Aden and launching missiles and drones at targets in Israel’s southern port city of Eilat. Prior to this, they had attacked the US-flagged Maersk Yorktown and the Israeli-linked MSC Veracruz, prompting defence responses from US and UK warships.

Abdel-Malik al-Houthi, the group’s leader, dismissed suggestions of diminished military capabilities and declared a new theater of confrontation targeting ships in the Indian Ocean. The Houthis have vowed to cease their attacks on the world’s busiest maritime routes if Israel halts its offensive in Gaza.

These attacks have disrupted global trade and impacted traffic at Israel’s Eilat port. Large-scale protests expressing solidarity with Palestinians and condemning Israel and its allies have been a weekly occurrence in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen since the conflict began.

Initially focused on Israeli-linked ships in the Bab al-Mandeb strait, the Houthis have broadened their targets to include US and UK vessels following military actions by Washington and London in Yemen. Millions of people have reportedly joined demonstrations across Yemen, highlighting widespread support for the Houthi cause.