Yemeni Iranian-Backed Houthi Rebels Strike 3 Commercial Ships in Red Sea
by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels launched missiles and drones, hitting three commercial ships in international waters in the Red Sea on Sunday. In a defensive move, a U.S. warship successfully intercepted three drones, as confirmed by the U.S. military.
The USS Carney, a U.S. Navy destroyer, aided the three vessels by shooting down three drones approaching their direction, the U.S. military said. Despite the attack lasting from shortly after 9 am until about 4:30 pm, each of the commercial ships sustained minor damage, and there were no reported casualties.
Four attacks targeted three separate commercial vessels operating in international waters in the Red Sea, according to a United States Central Command (CENTCOM) statement on X.. The attacks marked an escalation in a series of maritime assaults in the Middle East linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
“These attacks represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security. They have jeopardized the lives of international crews representing multiple countries around the world,” CENTCOM stated. “We also have every reason to believe that these attacks, while launched by the Houthis in Yemen, are fully enabled by Iran. The United States will consider all appropriate responses in full coordination with its international allies and partners.”
The Iranian-backed Houthis claimed responsibility for two of the attacks, stating that they had targeted two Israeli vessels, namely the Unity Explorer and the Number 9.
“The Yemeni armed forces continue to prevent Israeli ships from navigating the Red Sea until the Israeli aggression against our steadfast brothers in the Gaza Strip stops,” Houthi spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said.
The three commercial vessels affected by the Houthi attacks were the Unity Explorer, the Number 9, and the Sophie II. Worthy News could only confirm a connection to Israel for the Unity Explorer, owned and operated by a British company, where one of its directors, Dan David Ungar, is the son of Israeli billionaire Abraham Ungar.