Germany Attacks Houthi Targets for the First Time

The US and the UK launched hundreds of air strikes against Houthis targets (Reuters)

Germany deployed a naval frigate to the Red Sea for the first time to confront Houthi attacks, becoming the second European country, after France, to carry out such operations.
Since Jan. 12, the United States and the UK began launching strikes against the Houthis, who say they are launching attacks in support of the Palestinians in Gaza and to prevent the navigation of ships linked to Israel.
The Western strikes have included over 300 raids targeting Houthi sites in Sanaa, Hodeidah, Taiz, Hajjah, Saada, and Dhamar.
However, the Houthi group said they did not impact its military capabilities, saying the strikes were merely to "save face."
The German army said in a statement on the "X" platform that the Hessen frigate of the Navy shot down two drones at two separate times without any casualties.
On Feb. 19, the European Union launched Operation "Aspides" to preserve freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Meanwhile, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed in a statement that the US aircraft and a coalition warship shot down five Iranian-backed Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in the Red Sea.
CENTCOM forces identified these UAVs originating from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the US Navy and coalition ships in the region.
"These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US Navy and merchant vessels."
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKTMO) said it had received a report of an incident 60NM west of Hodeidah. The vessel and the crew are reported to be safe and proceeding to the next port of call.
The rocket was sighted on the vessel's starboard side, which then exploded 3-4NM from the port bow, read the statement.
Meanwhile, the Houthi media reported that the US and the UK targeted the group's site on Labwan Island in Hodeidah.
- British warning
On Wednesday, Britain warned of an environmental catastrophe as a result of the Houthi attack on the MV Rubymar vessel, which is now at risk of leaking into the Red Sea.
"Despite years of international effort to avert a crisis with the FSO SAFER, the Houthis are threatening another environmental disaster with the reckless attack on the MV Rubymar," said UK on X platform.
The Yemeni government called on international aid to prevent the ship from sinking in the Red Sea, as this threatens an environmental disaster.
Yemeni officials said the vessel is at risk of drowning within days as water leaks into it.
The government asserted that Western strikes against the Houthis would be of no use in limiting the military group's capabilities and that the alternative is to support the legitimate forces to restore the state.
Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak denied the Houthi narrative regarding the naval attacks.
According to official media, bin Mubarak believes the Houthi attacks have nothing to do with supporting the Palestinian people and their just cause.
The Houthis admitted that 22 militants were killed in the Western strikes, in addition to ten who were killed on Dec. 31 in the Red Sea, after the US Navy destroyed their boats in response to their attempt to seize a vessel.
Last December, Washington launched Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect navigation in the Red Sea before launching 25 strikes against the Houthis and carrying out dozens of operations to confront Houthi missiles, drones, and explosive boats.