As tensions continue in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the Houthi militias in Yemen have warned they may expand launching naval assaults to the Indian Ocean with the aim to disrupt the passage of Israeli, American, and British ships.
In a televised speech Thursday night, Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi pledged to keep developing his group’s military strength. He said they’ll stop shipping in the Indian Ocean near southern Africa until the Gaza blockade is lifted and the Israeli war ends.
During a rally in Sanaa, the group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, also stated that Houthis are seeking to ban Israeli ships from the Indian Ocean.
Despite conflicting reports about a cargo ship allegedly targeted by the Houthis near Hodeidah, two British organizations have confirmed the vessel’s safety and crew survival after a missile attack.
British maritime security firm Ambrey and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported on Friday that a commercial ship, initially thought to have been hit by a missile off the port of Hodeidah in Yemen’s Red Sea, showed no signs of damage upon inspection.
The ship was 76 nautical miles west of Hodeidah port when the incident was first reported. Another vessel, 50 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah, reported two missiles flying over it but exploding far away.
The ship’s captain confirmed hearing two distant explosions but reported no damage, with the crew safe as the ship heads to the next port.
Earlier, both agencies reported the ship being targeted and damaged on its right side.
The vessel was previously listed as Israeli-owned but changed ownership in February 2024.
Meanwhile, the US Central Command stated on Friday that its forces destroyed nine Houthi missiles and two drones in preemptive strikes on Thursday.
In statement, the US Central Command revealed that between 6:50 a.m. on March 14 and 12:40 a.m. on March 15 (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Gulf of Aden and two additional ASBMs towards the Red Sea.
There were no injuries or damage reported to US or coalition ships.
Additionally, the Central Command successfully engaged and destroyed nine anti-ship missiles and two unmanned aerial vehicles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region. These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US Navy and merchant vessels.
