Photos released by the Indian Navy show damages to the M/V Genco Picardy, which was struck by a Houthi attack drone on January 17, 2024, in the Gulf of Aden. Photo courtesy Indian Navy
The U.S. Department of Defense has confirmed a fifth round of military strikes against Houthi-controlled targets in Yemen. Meanwhile, the rebel group carried out more attacks on shipping on Thursday.
The latest military strike was confirmed against two Houthi anti-ship missiles pointed towards the Southern Red Sea and ready for launch.
“U.S. forces identified the missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen at approximately 3:40 p.m. (Sanaa time) and determined they were an imminent threat to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region. U.S. forces subsequently struck and destroyed the missiles in self-defense,” the US Central Command said in a statement.
The strikes come after U.S. forces destroyed fourteen loaded missile launchers on Wednesday and another four on Tuesday.
Despite the engagement, the Houthi group continues to carry out attacks on International ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. This week, the group hit three bulk carriers, including two US-owned ships, causing minor damage but no injuries to crew.
The Iranian-backed Houthis have now launched about 30 attacks on commercial shipping using either missiles, one-way attack drones, naval drones, or small craft, since the Nov. 19 hijacking of the Galaxy Leader, which they continue to hold.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations office reported two new incidents on Thursday in the Gulf of Aden. Both involved aerial drones harassing merchant ships and, in both cases, the ships reported objects impacting the water close by. One of the ships was reportedly the Marshall Islands-flagged Genco Picardy, which was previously hit by an attack drone on Wednesday, causing a small fire on board. The ship is owned by US-based Genco Shipping (NYSE: GNK).
The Houthis also claimed a “direct hit” on the Marshall Islands-flagged Chem Ranger, which they described as being an American ship even though it has no apparent links to the U.S. Equasis data shows the ship is owned and operated by Greek companies, classed in Japan and insured in the UK and Norway.
Speaking outside The White House, President Biden told reporters that strikes will continue when asked if the military strikes are working. “Are they stopping the Houthis? No. Are they going to continue? Yes,” Biden said.
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