In this illustration from January 9, 2024, a cargo ship boat model is seen in front of the words “Red Sea” and “Houthi attacks.”
Dado Ruvic | Portal
U.S. and coalition forces as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian responded Tuesday in the Red Sea to what American officials said was the largest-ever attack on merchant vessels by Iran-backed Houthis.
“We are aware of the reports of the Red Sea incident,” said a senior Defense Ministry official who was granted anonymity to discuss an ongoing operation.
Attacks were reported in at least two locations: southwest of Mokha, Yemen and Hodeidah, Yemen.
According to American officials, there were about 50 merchant ships in the area at the time of the attack. Crews reported attacks by rocket fire and armed drones. As of Tuesday evening, no ship had reported any damage from the attacks.
Four coalition warships have been deployed to the area, Pentagon officials told CNBC. No Iranian warships were involved. “This is the largest attack on commercial shipping,” a national security official told CNBC.
It was also the first large-scale attack by the Houthis since 13 nations, including the United States, issued a joint statement pledging to hold the militants accountable for attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea.
CENTCOM reported that an unmanned aerial drone launched by the Houthis was shot down by the USS Laboon (DDG 59) on January 6.
Global maritime security firm Ambrey reported that coalition warships were moving at “maximum speed.” Ambrey also reported that a tanker crew saw flares or missile tracks in the waters off Mokha.
A crew on a bulk carrier reported seeing three small vessels and said two missiles were fired from the direction of the boats. They also reportedly saw a drone flying in front of the ship.
The Iran-backed Houthi militia group warned in December that it would not reduce the number of attacks until Gaza received “the food and medicine it needs.”
Since Hamas killed more than 1,000 people in Israel in October, Israel has carried out a massive bombing campaign in Gaza. The bombing of Gaza has so far claimed more than 20,000 lives.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates