The US Central Command (CENTCOM) in its latest update on X, known as twitter , on Wednesday reported that its forces have destroyed an explosive-laden and remotely operated boat in a Houthi rebels’ -held area of Yemen.
CENTCOM added that it destroyed the un-crewed surface vessel at approximately 1:52 p.m. (Sanaa time) on Tuesday after determining that it posed a threat to the US and its allies, as well as international commercial and naval ships in international waters off Yemen’s coasts.
Meanwhile, Houthi militia reaffirmed threats to increase their Red Sea ship campaign unless Israel ceases its assault in Gaza
On Tuesday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations, which tracks ship attacks, advised ships passing through the Indian Ocean to exercise caution after receiving a report of a drone attacking a commercial ship 170 nautical miles southeast of Yemen’s Socotra island and approximately 300-400 nautical miles southeast of the Horn of Africa overnight on April 26. “The vessel and crew are reported safe and the vessel is proceeding to its next port of call,” the UK agency said.
During the last seven months, the Houthis have seized a commercial ship, sunk another, and fired hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles, and remotely controlled drones at US, UK, Israeli, and other international ships in the Red Sea, Bab Al-Mandab Strait, and Gulf of Aden. The Houthis claim they solely target Israel-linked and Israel-bound ships to push Israel to let humanitarian supplies into the Gaza Strip. They also added ships tied to the US and the UK to their list of targets after the two nations launched strikes against areas of Yemen under their control.