Maritime strike against the Houthis: Two boats destroyed, one carrying equipment for launching drones

A new Houthi attempt to infiltrate the Red Sea ended with the destruction of two booby-trapped boats belonging to the militias, according to an announcement by Yemen’s National Resistance.

In a statement issued by its military media office, the National Resistance said that its naval forces and coast guard « engaged Houthi forces operating booby-trapped and crewed boats that were attempting to enter restricted areas along the western coast over the past two days ».

The statement said that National Resistance forces « engaged three Houthi boats in the waters of the Red Sea, resulting in the destruction and sinking of one of them along with the militia members aboard, while the other two boats managed to flee toward international waters ».

In another location, the statement reported that a boat loaded with equipment intended for launching drones had been detected. Following close tracking and surveillance, it was destroyed with a Kornet guided missile, killing the Houthi personnel on board.

Over the past several days, the Houthis have launched their largest attacks of their kind, using missiles and drones against several areas along Yemen’s western coast, while simultaneously deploying substantial reinforcements to fronts overlooking the Red Sea.

In response to the Houthi attacks, the International Maritime Organization, a United Nations agency, called on shipping companies and ship operators on Wednesday to conduct a « thorough risk assessment » to ensure the safety of seafarers, a day after a Houthi attack off the Yemeni coast killed at least six people.

The organization warned that « these repeated attacks on maritime navigation only serve to fuel tensions and threaten global supply chains on which everyone depends ».

The Red Sea, particularly the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, has become increasingly important for maritime navigation since Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz.