(Washington) Houthi rebels detonated a naval drone loaded with explosives off the coast of Yemen on Thursday, without causing any injuries or hitting any ships, the first known recent use of such a weapon, a US official said.
On Wednesday, 12 countries, including the United States, urged the Houthis to “immediately stop their illegal attacks” on ships in the Red Sea, threatening them with “consequences.”
“A Houthi surface naval drone […] exploded in an international shipping corridor. Fortunately, there were no casualties and no ships were hit,” Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US naval forces in the Middle East, told reporters.
This is the 25e attack targeting commercial boats traveling in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since November 18, according to its calculations.
The United States set up in December, with other countries, an international coalition to protect maritime traffic from Houthi attacks, in this strategic zone where 12% of world trade passes.
“Since operations with our partners began, we have shot down 19 drones and missiles and sunk three small boats,” Brad Cooper said, stressing that “there is no sign that irresponsible behavior [des houthis] calm down.”
Yemeni rebels have said they target ships with links to Israel, but “by our estimate, 55 countries have direct links to the vessels that were attacked,” he added.
Supported by Iran, the Houthis are increasing drone and missile attacks off the Yemeni coast, claiming to act in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.
Since the start of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, tensions have also increased in Syria and Iraq, where American bases have been targeted. A strike killed a leader and another member of a pro-Iranian armed group in Baghdad on Thursday.