The Iranian-backed Houthis claim they have targeted Israel ten times since early October and they have targeted 20 ships in the Red Sea. The Houthi media channel Al-Masirah made the claims on Saturday, January 27.
This came hours after the Houthis attacked the 0 ship with an anti-ship ballistic missile. They also targeted the USS Carney, a US naval warship, but the ship intercepted the attack. US Central Command also said it struck an anti-ship missile that the Houthis were preparing to launch.
The new data from the Houthis in which they brag about all their attacks illustrate the group is not deterred. The Houthis also claim they have launched new attacks on US and UK ships. They call this “direct engagement” and suggest they are escalating attacks.
The US and UK have carried out multiple airstrikes on the Houthis over the last month to try to stop their attacks on shipping. An attack on Friday caused a fire on a ship which also illustrates how dangerous the Houthis have become.
The new data from the Houthis include claims they targeted Eilat, which they call “Umm Rashrash,” ten times. They claim these attacks began on October 31 and continued through December 26.
For instance, on December 26 they claimed, “Umm al-Rashrash was destroyed with drones, in a double operation by the Yemeni armed forces, during which they were able to destroy Umm al-Rashrash in the Israeli entity with drones and targeting the ship 2 with a naval missile in support of the Palestinian people,” the Houthis claimed, without evidence.
After the attacks on Israel, some of which were intercepted by US warships and others of which were intercepted by Israeli air defenses, the Houthis claimed they began to shift their targets to commercial ships. They also note that the US announced Prosperity Guardian, a task force designed to protect ships in the Red Sea.
Shifting shipping methods around Africa
The Houthi attacks have resulted in many companies shifting their routes to circle the horn of Africa, rather than risk the Red Sea, at much additional expense.
“From November 19, 2023, until January 27, 2024, the Yemeni armed forces carried out 16 naval operations, targeting 20 ships, including three ships owned by the Israeli entity, six American ships, including a warship, a British tanker, and 10 ships that were heading to the occupied Palestinian ports.
In addition, several ships changed their course in response to warnings and calls from the Yemeni Navy,” the Houthis claim.
The latest claims illustrate that the Iranian-backed group is not deterred. It has increased its attacks and continues to escalate attacks on shipping. The Houthis also clearly indicate they have shifted their attacks from focusing on Israel and what they claim are Israel-linked ships, to targeting the US Navy and other ships.