Houthi drone strikes US-owned and operated vessel, US Central Command says
A Houthi drone struck a US-owned and operated vessel in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday, according to US Central Command, marking the second time this week the Iran-backed rebel group has succeeded in targeting a US vessel.
No one was injured aboard the vessel, CENTCOM said, which suffered “some” damage. The ship, which is flagged in the Marshall Islands, remains seaworthy and continued on its way, the statement said. Earlier Wednesday, a spokesman for the Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, saying they had launched a series of direct missiles at the American ship.
US carries out another round of strikes against Houthis in Yemen, 2 US officials say
The United States carried out another round of strikes against the Houthis in Yemen, according to two US officials, marking the fourth time the US has struck the Iran-backed rebel group in less than a week.
The US used Tomahawk missiles to target approximately 14 Houthi missile launchers used to attack international shipping lanes, one of the officials said. The Tomahawk missiles were launched from US Navy surface vessels and the USS Florida, a guided missile submarine, another official said.
Meantime at Lebanon border
Israel's Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi said the likelihood of war on Israel's northern front is now "much higher" than in recent times. He said his country is increasing its readiness for "fighting in Lebanon." At the same time, the United Nations secretary-general warned "we cannot have in Lebanon another Gaza," saying it is crucial to avoid a confrontation there.
