Yemen’s Iran-aligned group says ballistic missiles set warship ablaze and struck accompanying boats amid escalating maritime confrontation
SANAA: Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis claimed on Monday that they attacked a Saudi military vessel and four escort boats in the Red Sea using several ballistic missiles, escalating tensions around one of the world’s most important maritime corridors.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced the operation in a statement posted on Telegram, claiming the missiles accurately struck their intended targets.
“The attack was carried out using several ballistic missiles, and the strikes were accurate and direct,” Saree said.
However, Saudi authorities did not immediately confirm the reported attack, and independent verification of the Houthis’ claims remained unavailable.
Houthis Claim Saudi Warship Caught Fire
According to Saree, the strikes caused the Saudi warship to catch fire completely. He further claimed that several accompanying boats sank while others also caught fire.
The spokesperson said Houthi forces would continue what he described as an “equation of blockade for blockade” and threatened further attacks against Saudi military concentrations.
Meanwhile, the latest claim follows repeated Houthi missile attacks around Yemen’s Red Sea coastline as fighting intensifies near the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Mocha Port Suspends Maritime Operations
Separately, Yemen’s Mocha port has suspended commercial and maritime operations after more than 25 missiles reportedly struck the area during recent Houthi attacks.
The port’s director said the strikes killed seven people and caused approximately $16 million in damage.
Forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognised government control Mocha, which has a smaller cargo capacity than the major ports of Aden and Hodeidah.
Furthermore, Yemen’s government said the Houthis fired six ballistic missiles at Mocha on Friday, killing at least four civilians and striking civilian, economic and maritime facilities.
The Houthis, however, said their attacks targeted weapons, military positions and warships belonging to Saudi-backed forces concentrated around Mocha.
