They attack the US aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea with missiles and drones

CAIRO – Yemen’s Houthi rebels said on Tuesday that they had carried out Two military operations against US naval vessels In and near the Red and Arabian Seas”American aircraft carrier Lincoln attackedAccording to the group’s military spokesman.

In the first operation, an American aircraft carrier was targeted in the Arabian Sea. With various missiles and dronesYahya Sariya said, while in another operation missiles and drones were launched against two US destroyers in the Red Sea. In total they lasted eight hours.

Because of the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Israel’s ground offensive in Lebanon, rebels have for months attacked ships sailing the sea route, through which a trillion dollars worth of cargo typically passes each year.

The Houthis have insisted that attacks will continue as long as the war continues, and their campaign has already halved shipping traffic through the region. Meanwhile, a panel of UN experts has said that the Houthis can, and should, extort money from some transporters. Earn approximately $180 million per month in exchange for allowing safe passage from the area.

More than 90 merchant ships have been attacked with missiles and drones by rebels since the war in Gaza began in October 2023. They have captured one ship and sunk two in the campaign, killing four sailors. Other missiles and drones have been intercepted by the US-led coalition in the Red Sea or missed their targets, including Western military ships.

The Houthis have also shot down several American MQ-9 Reaper drones.

The last Houthi sea attack took place on 28 October and targeted Motaro TankerFlag of Liberia. Earlier on October 10, a chemical tanker was attacked. olympic spiritWith the flag of Liberia.

However, it is not clear why Houthi attacks have decreased They have also launched several missiles towards Israel. On October 17, US forces launched B-2 stealth bombers against underground bunkers used by the rebels. In recent days, US airstrikes have also targeted Houthi positions.

Meanwhile, an October UN expert report says that ““The Houthis reportedly charged some shipping agencies illegal fees for allowing their ships to pass through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden without being attacked.” The report estimates the amount of money generated per month at around $180 million, although it emphasizes that it has not been able to confirm the information provided by sources to the panel.

The Houthis have not responded directly to the accusation. However, reports include two threatening emails that the Houthis sent to shipwrecked sailors, and one of those ships was later attacked by rebels.

Reuters and AP agencies

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