Houthis allege successfully targeting US merchant vessel in the Red Sea

The Houthi movement in Yemen has announced that it has attacked a US merchant ship in the Red Sea as part of its ongoing campaign to target commercial shipping. The ship, named the KOI, is said to be operated by the US. Although the maritime security firm Ambrey confirmed an explosion on board a vessel in the Red Sea, it did not disclose the ship's name. In response, the US has carried out airstrikes in Yemen, targeting 10 drones that were reportedly being prepared for an attack. The KOI is a Liberian-flagged container ship operated by Oceonix Services, the same company that owns the damaged oil tanker Marlin Luanda. The Houthi movement perceives all Israeli, US, and British ships as legitimate targets following conflicts in Gaza and the targeting of Houthi missile positions. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea confirmed that the American ship KOI was struck with naval missiles and claimed that it was heading to occupied Palestine, which is sometimes used as a reference to Israel. Yemen has vowed to retaliate against the British-American escalation. US Central Command stated that the 10 destroyed drones posed a threat to merchant vessels and US warships. In addition to the drone attack, the US warship shot down three Iranian drones and a Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile in the Gulf of Aden. Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea have disrupted international trade and caused concerns about supply chain disruptions. The article also mentions an incident involving Palestinian gunmen infiltrating southern Israel and subsequent military campaigns resulting in casualties.