Houthi Attacks on Red Sea Shipping Intensify
Iran’s semi-official media claims the Houthis have acquired a new missile, with an “optical seeker,” providing for greater accuracy,
WASHINGTON DC, United States (Kurdistan 24) – Starting last Wednesday, May 22, and pretty much every day since, Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen have targeted international shipping traveling in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, using a variety of weapons systems.
On May 18, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan visited Saudi Arabia and held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, including on a U.S.-Saudi defense agreement.
Possibly, the intensified attacks reflect the opposition of Iran and its Houthi allies to the conclusion of any such accord between Washington and Riyadh. More broadly, the attacks reflect Iran’s exploitation of the war in Gaza to mobilize its proxies.
In addition, as The Maritime Executive reported on Wednesday, Iran’s semi-official media claims that the Houthis have acquired a new missile, with an “optical seeker,” providing for greater accuracy,
Houthi Offensive
As CENTCOM reported, on May 22, the Houthis launched four uncrewed aerial systems (UAS—i.e. drones), which CENTCOM shot down.
On May 23, at 7:25 a.m., local time, “Iranian-backed Houthis launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) into the Red Sea,” without causing injuries or damage, CENTCOM said.
That evening, at 8:10 p.m., as CENTCOM reported, its “forces successfully engaged one Land Attack Cruise Missile (LACM) in an Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.”
Apparently, no significant attacks occurred on May 24, but on May 25, very early in the morning—at 3:50 a.m.—the first attack from the previous day was repeated. The two missiles that the Houthis launched, again, landed, in the Red Sea, and, again, they caused no injuries or damage.
On May 26, the Houthis launched a drone, which CENTCOM shot down, as it had done with the four drones launched on May 22.
The next day, the Houthis launched another drone, at 4:00 a.m., and, again, it was shot down.
The Attack on the Laax
However, on May 28, the Houthis did hit a ship—the bulk carrier, Laax. They fired five anti-ship ballistic missiles at the vessel. Three of the missiles hit the ship, causing some damage.
A French air defense frigate was in the area and came to its aid. Subsequently, a French mine clearance team from among French forces in Djibouti, reinforced by Italian troops, inspected the damaged ship to ensure that no explosive material remained.
The command of French forces in Djibouti later tweeted about the rescue.
Read More: The command of French forces in Djibouti later tweeted about the rescue.
The Laax is Greek-owned and operated. It is flagged in the Marshall Islands. It was carrying grain from Brazil and was headed to Fujairah, one of the seven emirates that comprise the UAE.
The ship had nothing to do with Israel, despite the Houthis’ claim that they carry out these attacks in support of the Palestinians and that they target Israeli shipping—not unlike those who recently attacked a Jordanian-owned restaurant in Baghdad, supposedly also in support of the Palestinians.
Read More: U.S. Calls on Iraq to fully investigate Attacks on U.S. Franchises
The next day, on May 29, the Houthis made big and bold claims—but they were probably not true.
On Wednesday, the Houthis claimed they had targeted six ships in three different bodies of water: the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Mediterranean Sea.
But there is no independent verification of that, beyond CENTCOM’s report of familiar Houthi activities.
According to CENTCOM, on May 29, the Houthis fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles into the Red Sea, and they fired two drones.
The missiles did no damage, and CENTCOM shot down the drones.
