Houthi conducts drone strike at a vessel in Arabian Sea as Yemeni group mourns Sinwar's death

Amid the brewing tensions in the Middle East, the Houthis claimed that they had conducted a “successful” drone strike on a ship named “MEGALOPOLIS” in the Arabian Sea. Houthi spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree confirmed the news on Saturday.

According to Yemeni news outlet Yemen Online, Saree stated the vessel was targeted because it violated the militant group’s “entry ban” which has been in place since October 7, 2023, the very day Hamas attacked southern Israel which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza. The Yemenese group claimed that the ship was heading to an Israeli port.

The militant group backed by Iran have attacked several vessels in the Red Sea. Expressing their support for Hamas, Houthis have made it clear that they would target any vessel heading to and from Israel in the region. However, the group has been notoriously attacking ships that have nothing to do with Israel.

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The recent spate of Houthi attacks in the region

In his public statement, Saree hailed the Saturday attack and called it a victory for the Palestinian and Lebanese people. He went on to emphasise that the recent killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar will only strengthen the Iran-led Axis of Resistance against Israel.

The militant group spokesperson also highlighted the ongoing use of missiles and drones against Israel, insisting that these attacks will continue until the Israeli aggression in Gaza and Lebanon comes to an end.

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Interestingly, the operation was conducted just hours after Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, leader of the Yemeni Ansar Allah movement, expressed condolences for Sinwar’s death and asserted that “his martyrdom would not weaken the resistance.”

While the Houthi attacks in the region have declined considerably, the group have launched a new spate of missile attacks in the region. Earlier this month, the rebel group launched an explosive-laden drone that crashed into one ship in the Red Sea and exploded against another.

Drone boats have been increasingly used by the Houthis against ships operating in the region. Amid the threats, there have been little to no shipping activities in the region in recent months. This also has a direct impact on the global economy.

With inputs from agencies.