The Yemeni rebel group has launched an attack using drones and missiles, as a United Nations Security Council vote is expected to condemn their strikes on the vital shipping lane.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels carry out one of their biggest attacks on cargo ships in the Red Seaauthorities said Wednesday.
The projectiles were shot down by the US and British navies during a major naval engagement.
No damage was immediately reported.
The attack is the latest escalation by the Iranian-backed rebel group in the Red Sea, one of the most important trade routes in the world.
It comes ahead of a United Nations Security Council vote scheduled for later Wednesday that will condemn the Houthi attacks and demand their immediate end.
The group claims that its attacks aim to end Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza and that it would target Israeli or Israel-bound ships in support of the Palestinians.
However, their attacks increasingly target cargo ships that have no connection to Israel.
Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have raised fears of a regional escalation of the war between Israel and Hamasalthough observers assert that this is something many, including Hezbollah, want to avoid.
Wednesday’s attack occurred off the coast of the Yemeni port cities of Hodeida and Mokha, according to private intelligence firm Ambrey.
The US Army Central Command has confirmed that this “complex attack” included bomb-carrying drones, anti-ship cruise missiles and an anti-ship ballistic missile.
Eighteen drones, two cruise missiles and an anti-ship missile were shot down by F-18s from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, American Arleigh Burke-class destroyers – USS Gravely, USS Laboon and the USS Mason – as well as by the British HMS Diamond.
“This is the 26th Houthi attack on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea since November 19“, says United States Central Command.
“Vessels are urged to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity“, adds the British government.
The Houthis have not officially acknowledged launching these attacks. However, Al Jazeera cited an unnamed Houthi military official who said their forces had “Israel-linked ship targeted in Red Sea“, without giving further details.