(TEHRAN, Iran) — The Yemeni Armed Forces on Wednesday announced that it conducted four operations against merchant and military ships in the Gulf of Aden, including targeting the U.S.-flagged containership Maersk Yorktown.
In a televised statement, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said that Yemen’s Houthi rebels carried out an operation targeting Maersk Yorktown, the boxships MSC Gina and MSC Darwin, and an American warship escorting the ships.
The Yemeni Armed Forces indicated that the operation was carried out using naval missiles and drones, and it claimed it successfully achieved its objectives.
U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) reported that between 4:15 a.m. and 6 a.m. (Sanaa time) on April 10, U.S. forces successfully engaged three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. Two UAVs were launched over the Gulf of Aden and one UAV was launched over the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition or commercial ships.
Then between approximately 7:50 p.m. and 8 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. forces successfully engaged and destroyed eight UAVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen in self-defense, USCENTCOM reported.
It was determined the UAVs presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition and merchant vessels in the region. “These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer,” USCENTCOM said.
The Houthis have said that they won’t stop their attacks until Israeli ground and aerial offensives in Gaza come to an end.
