Houthi Drone Attacks Ships In Red Sea Day After 'Final Warning' By US And 12 Allies

The latest attack with the unmanned surface vessel (USV) marks the first time the Houthis have used this type of weapon following the beginning of the war in Gaza

Houti drone attacks ships in Red sea.

A day after the United States and 12 allies gave a final warning to Houthi rebels, the latter carried out yet another attack on ships in the Red Sea after it exploded a drone boat packed with explosives on Thursday. The blast, reported Reuters, failed to cause any damage or casualties, the US Navy said, quoted Reuters.

On Wednesday, the US and Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement condemning Houthi attacks against commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea. They warned the  Yemen-based group of unspecified "consequences" unless it halts its attacks, in what one US official suggested was a final warning.

Meanwhile, the latest attack with the unmanned surface vessel (USV) marks the first time the Houthis have used this type of weapon following the beginning of the war in Gaza, reported CNN.

Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of US Naval Forces Central Command said the USV traveled from Yemen into international shipping lanes "clearly with the intent to do harm before detonating, the report added.

It is notably the 25th Houthi attack on ships in the Red Sea since November 18, Cooper said. Cooper said the attacks are almost certain to continue. "There are no signs their irresponsible behavior is abating," Cooper further said, quoted CNN.

Cooper further said there are currently five warships from different countries in and around the Red Sea, including manned and unmanned reconnaissance aircraft and fighter jets.

He said the Navy is providing frequent communication with commercial vessels as they transit the Red Sea. "We do provide a lot of advice in terms of best practices of when to transit, when not to transit, where to transit, how to do that, how to communicate with us," said Cooper.