Another Iran-backed terrorist organization has attacked American ships in international waters, according to reports.
Houthi, an Islamist militant group based in Yemen, claimed responsibility for the destruction of three commercial ships in the Red Sea. The commercial vessels were believed to have connections to Israel.
“These attacks represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security,” U.S. Central Command said in a statement. “They have jeopardized the lives of international crews representing multiple countries around the world.”
Since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, there have been numerous missile attacks from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen on ships in the Red Sea. Pentagon officials directed the blame toward Iran.
“We … have every reason to believe that these attacks, while launched by the Houthis in Yemen, are fully enabled by Iran. The United States will consider all appropriate responses in full coordination with its international allies and partners,” CENTCOM said.
In a statement, Houthi said that they had targeted two of the commercial ships because they were linked to Israelis and had “rejected warning messages” from their forces.
The terrorist group will “continue to prevent Israeli ships from navigating the Red and Arab Seas until the Israeli aggression against our steadfast brothers in the Gaza Strip stops,” according to their statement, referring to the conflict with Hamas after its terror attack.
This comes after Hamas attacked Israel and invaded towns along the Gaza border earlier this month, killing at least 700 people. As of last month, the death toll has risen to 1,200, according to IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus.
The attack prompted Israel to declare war against the terrorist group with a ruthless aerial campaign that has flattened homes, schools, medical institutions, and government buildings in the Gaza Strip.
A senior U.S. defense official, meanwhile, said that the situation could get significantly worse for the two warring parties.
“We see a prospect for much more significant escalation against US forces and personnel in the near-term,” the official told journalists on Monday, describing the recent spike in attacks as “efforts by Iran and Iran proxy forces to seek to escalate this conflict.”
