The Iran-backed Houthi militia group persists in targeting commercial shipping, striking an American-owned container ship, the Gibraltar Eagle, with a ballistic missile. This attack, expanding the conflict to the Gulf of Aden from the Red Sea, raises concerns about the efficacy of recent US and UK strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen.
The strike hit the cargo hold of the Marshall Islands-flagged container ship, causing no major damage but intensifying fears regarding Houthi threats to commercial shipping. In response to the strikes, Qatar announced it would not send liquid gas through the Red Sea for the foreseeable future, contributing to a notable drop in overall traffic since Thursday's military actions.
The Houthis, an Iranian-backed Shia group, attribute their more than 30 recent attacks on commercial shipping to pressure Israel into allowing more humanitarian aid into Gaza. Despite US-led strikes, the Houthis maintain their stance, emphasizing that attacks on ships heading to Israel will persist.
Questions arise about the effectiveness of the US-UK naval alliance, prompting speculation about potential further strikes or coordination with UN-recognized ground troops from the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) in Aden. UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps clarified that the Thursday night attacks were intended as a single limited action.
US Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed hope that the Houthi response would de-escalate after the "necessary and proportionate response," reaffirming the readiness to protect national security and interests. Additional incidents, including the downing of a Houthi-fired cruise missile aimed at the US destroyer USS Laboon and an unidentified ship repelling two small vessels seeking to board, demonstrate the ongoing tensions.
Despite these developments, Yemeni sources report explosions near the port of Hodeidah, suggesting continued US and UK operations against the Houthi missile threat. A leading member of Yemen's UN-recognized government calls for Western support, emphasizing the need for military equipment, training, and intelligence to counter the Houthis effectively.
The UK ambassador to Yemen, Abda Sharif, discussed the UN peace plan for Yemen with PLC Prime Minister Dr. Maeen Abdul Mali, addressing concerns about the Houthi movement exploiting the Palestinian cause. The PLC distances itself from Israel, expressing support for the Palestinians while cautioning the Houthis against serving Iran's interests and expansionist projects in the region. The PLC aims to classify the Houthi militia as a terrorist group, a designation recently withdrawn by US President Joe Biden.