The U.S. Central Command reported late Tuesday that the Houthis launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles in the southern Red Sea, but no damage has been recorded. The Iran-aligned Houthis, who control much of Yemen including the capital Sana'a, have been attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea since October, claiming that these ships have ties to Israel or are headed there in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.
The U.S. Central Command added that several commercial ships in the area reported impacts from the missiles on the surrounding waters. Earlier, the British Maritime Trade Operations agency announced that it received reports of up to three explosions one to five nautical miles from a commercial ship in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, about 33 nautical miles east of the Eritrean city of Assab, with no reports of damage.
Many shipping companies have suspended operations through the Red Sea due to the attacks and are instead opting for the longer route around the African continent. The Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks until Israel stops its war on Gaza and warned that they would target U.S. warships if they were engaged.
