A model of a cargo ship boat appears in front of the words “Red Sea” and “Houthi attacks” in this illustration taken on January 9, 2024.
Dado Rovik | Reuters
U.S. and coalition forces under Operation Prosperity Sentinel responded Tuesday in the Red Sea to what U.S. officials said was the largest attack yet on commercial ships by the Iran-backed Houthis.
“We are aware of reports regarding the incident that occurred in the Red Sea,” said a senior Defense Ministry official, who requested anonymity to discuss the ongoing operation.
Attacks were reported in at least two locations: southwest of Mokha, Yemen, and Hodeidah, Yemen.
Nearly 50 commercial ships were in the area at the time of the attack, according to US officials. Crews have reported attacks with rocket fire, as well as armed drones. On Tuesday evening, no ship had yet been reported to have been damaged by the attacks.
Four coalition warships have been deployed to the region, Pentagon officials told CNBC. No Iranian warships participated. “This is the largest attack on commercial shipping,” a national security official told CNBC.
This was also the first large-scale attack by the Houthis since 13 countries, including the United States, issued a joint statement and pledged to hold the militants accountable for attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea.
US Central Command reported that an unmanned aerial vehicle launched by the Houthis was shot down by the USS Laboon (DDG 59) on January 6.
Global maritime security company Ambrey reported that coalition warships were moving at “full speed.” Embry also reported that the tanker's crew saw flares or missile trails in the waters off Mokha.
The crew of the bulk carrier reported seeing three small vessels, and said two missiles were fired from the direction of the boats. They also reportedly saw a drone flying in front of the ship.
The Iran-backed Houthi group warned in December that it would not reduce the number of attacks until Gaza got “the food and medicine it needs.”
Israel has launched a massive bombing campaign in Gaza since Hamas killed more than 1,000 people in Israel in October. The bombing of Gaza has so far claimed the lives of more than 20,000 people.
This is a developing story, please check back for updates
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