The armed forces of Yemen have initiated a new phase in their operations against Israeli, American, and British ships and warships, extending their reach to the Indian Ocean.
On Friday, the government of Sana’a revealed six new operations in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.
Early Saturday, a British maritime security firm reported a separate “incident,” involving an “explosion” 65 nautical miles off Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah. Tehran Times reported this development.
During a press briefing, Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Yahya Saree announced the latest operations in the Red Sea and disclosed that Ansarullah forces have begun targeting Israeli ships and vessels traveling to or from Israeli ports in the Indian Ocean and the Cape of Good Hope.
“The naval forces of the Yemeni armed forces conducted an operation against the Israeli ship Pacific 01 in the Red Sea using suitable naval missiles,” stated Saree.
According to reports from the United Kingdom Marine Trade Operations and security firm Ambrey, Pacific 01 sustained damage after being hit west of Yemen’s port of Hodeidah. Ambrey noted the vessel’s Israeli affiliation and its route from Singapore to the Suez Canal with armed guards onboard.
Saree also revealed, “The drone unit of the Yemeni Air Force conducted an operation against an American destroyer in the Red Sea using a number of drones,” confirming at least one direct hit on the U.S. warship.
In response to new directives from Ansarullah leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi, Saree announced an expansion of operations against Israeli-affiliated and related ships, extending to the Indian Ocean and the Cape of Good Hope.
On this expanded front, Saree stated that the Yemeni Armed Forces had successfully executed three operations against Israeli ships and one American ship in the Indian Ocean, utilizing suitable naval missiles and drones.
Senior officials from the Sana’a government reiterated warnings that “any Israeli ship or any vessel traveling to or from ports in occupied Palestine will be considered a legitimate target.”
Yemeni forces have been conducting operations in solidarity with Gaza, where Israel is engaged in conflict.
In a recent address, Abdul Malik al-Houthi declared Yemeni forces’ intentions to target Israeli, American, and British vessels in the Indian Ocean, accusing them of redirecting their routes toward the Cape of Good Hope to evade attacks in the Red Sea.
In response to missile and drone threats in the Red and Arabian seas, ships bound for Israeli ports have opted to reroute through the Cape of Good Hope, significantly lengthening their journey.
“Operations targeting Israeli-affiliated vessels and those associated with the American and British sides continue with significant effectiveness,” emphasized Al-Houthi.
