Houthi Red Sea attacks: Group claims to have hit US container ship

The Houthi movement in Yemen has claimed responsibility for attacking a US merchant ship named the KOI in the Red Sea, focusing on commercial shipping. The vessel, reportedly US-operated, experienced an explosion south of Yemen’s Aden port, as reported by maritime security firm Ambrey. The attacked ship, identified as the Liberian-flagged container vessel KOI, is operated by UK-based Oceonix Services, according to Reuters.

In response to the incident, the US launched new airstrikes in Yemen, targeting 10 drones that were reportedly being prepared for launch. The Houthis consider Israeli, US, and British ships as legitimate targets due to Israel’s actions in Gaza and the US and British targeting of Houthi missile positions, which they claim is for commerce protection. This follows another attack on Oceonix Services’ oil tanker Marlin Luanda, damaged by a missile on a previous occasion.