Yemen's Houthis claim attacks on two ships in Gulf of Aden, another unreported in Indian Ocean

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis on Thursday claimed two missile attacks in the Gulf of Aden on two Panama-flagged container ships that caused no damage, while also saying they targeted a ship in the Indian Ocean in a previously unreported assault, according to a report.

In a televised speech on Thursday, the group’s military spokesman Yahya Sarea claimed attacks on the MSC Diego and MSC Gina.

Sarea said the group also targeted the MSC VITTORIA in the Indian Ocean. However, no authorities have confirmed an attack on that vessel.

The claims by Yahya Sarea come as the tempo of the rebel attacks have waned in recent weeks as they’ve been targeted by repeated airstrikes launched by a US-led coalition warship in waterways crucial to international trade. The Houthis insist their assaults will continue as long as Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip goes on.

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According to ABC News report, the Joint Maritime Information Center, a US-led coalition of nations operating in the Mideast, said those two missile attacks happened early Tuesday.

“Neither were hit and all crew on board are safe,” the report quoted center as saying. “The vessels were last reported proceeding to next port of call,” it added.

The center added that the vessels were “likely targeted due to perceived Israeli affiliation.”

According to ABC News, both vessels were operating for Geneva-based Mediterranean Shipping Co., which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Sarea, however, refrained from explaining the two-day delay in the rebels’ acknowledgment of the attacks.

The Houthis assert that their assaults on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden are intended to pressure Israel into halting its conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

The conflict, which has resulted in the deaths of over 34,000 Palestinians, commenced after Hamas-led militants launched an attack on Israel on 7 October, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the hostage-taking of around 250 others.

According to the US Maritime Administration, the Houthis have carried out more than 50 attacks on shipping since November, including seizing one vessel and sinking another. The threat posed by these attacks has led to a decline in shipping activity through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

With inputs from agencies