Houthis Claim Multiple Attacks on Vessels - US Mentions One Drone

Iran-backed Houthis on Monday claimed to have targeted three commercial vessels in the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, and two US destroyers in the Red Sea.

The Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, said the ships were the Larego Desert and the MSC Mechela in the Indian Ocean, and the Minerva Lisa in the Red Sea. He did not name the destroyers or specify when the alleged attacks took place.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) issued a statement on Monday only referring to one “uncrewed aerial system (UAS) stating that warships had destroyed it.

“At approximately 4 a.m. (Sanaa time) on May 27, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed one uncrewed aerial system (UAS) over the Red Sea, launched from an Iranian-backed Houthi controlled area of Yemen. It was determined the UAS presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels in the region,” the US statement said.

The Houthi’s claim of a much larger attack could not be independently confirmed.

As an Iranian proxy group, the Houthis began attacking maritime commercial traffic in mid-November after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei called on Muslim countries to blockade Israel. The attacks were first limited to the Red Sea but later expanded to the Indian Ocean. Dozens of attacks have reduced international shipping through the Red Sea, the shortest route between Aisa and Europe.