Yemen-originated drones and missiles target cargo ships in the Red Sea

The United States has informed that two cargo ships in the Red Sea were attacked by missiles launched from Yemen. One ship was hit by a drone, while the other was targeted by missiles. Both attacks originated from an area in Yemen controlled by the Houthis, a rebel group supported by Iran. The incidents occurred in the Bab El Mandab, a narrow strait that is crucial for global trade. These attacks mark the latest in a series of similar incidents since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Houthis, who have declared their support for Hamas, claim that they are targeting ships heading towards Israel. A US defense official stated that a Houthi-launched object damaged a German cargo ship named Al Jasrah. Another US defense official reported that a ballistic missile struck a second ship in the Bab El Mandab, causing a fire. The US is facing pressure from Israel to take action against these attacks, but is hesitant to target Houthi missile sites due to concerns about escalating the conflict and provoking retaliation from Iran. Instead, it is more likely that a multinational naval coalition will be formed to protect shipping and intercept incoming missiles and drones. US national security adviser Jake Sullivan, currently on a visit to the Middle East, stated that the Houthis pose a significant threat to shipping and commerce in the region, assigning ultimate responsibility to Iran for the attacks. More incidents were reported in the region, including the hijacking of another ship heading towards Somalia. The Houthi attacks have led to increased insurance premiums and could result in some ships circumnavigating the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa to avoid the Red Sea. The Houthis, engaged in conflict against Yemen's Saudi-backed government, consider themselves part of an "axis of resistance" with other Iran-affiliated groups opposing the US, Israel, and the West as a whole. They have previously targeted commercial ships, prompting the intervention of a US destroyer, and successfully hijacked a cargo ship in November. The Red Sea area has been patrolled by US, French, and British warships, which have intercepted several missiles. The Bab El Mandab Strait, with around 17,000 ships and 10% of global trade passing through it annually, separates Yemen from Eritrea and Djibouti, and is a required route for ships traveling through the Suez Canal.