The ongoing conflict in Yemen has drawn international attention as naval tensions surrounding the Bab al-Mandeb Strait intensify. In recent reporting, the Ansarullah movement, commonly called the Houthis, asserted that its naval forces conducted operations against two Israeli ships navigating in this critical corridor. The statement came from Yahya Saria, a representative of the movement’s armed forces, and was carried by RIA News. According to Saria, the engagement involved a missile strike against one vessel and a drone attack on another. He framed the action as a response to warnings reportedly issued by the Houthi navy that were allegedly ignored by the Israeli ships. It is important to note that this sequence of claims forms part of a broader pattern of maritime incidents linked to the Yemen conflict, which has involved various state and non-state actors over time. — RIA News
In the same region, the United States Navy acknowledged an attack involving unmanned aerial vehicles and projectiles directed at the guided-missile destroyer USS Carney. The incident was described as an assault that utilized assets launched from Yemen, underscoring the volatile security environment around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. This event fits into a larger narrative of military activities and countermeasures that have characterized the maritime arena in the Horn of Africa and the adjacent Arabian Sea. Analysts have pointed to the strategic significance of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a chokepoint through which a substantial fraction of global oil and commerce passes each day. The evolving dynamics among regional actors and international forces have kept attention on how control, interception, and retaliation unfold in this narrow waterway. — RIA News
Earlier developments have also included reports of Houthi actions against Israeli-linked shipping in the Gulf of Aden, where a cargo vessel was reportedly intercepted by rebels operating in the region. The incident contributed to a broader pattern of attempts to pressurize maritime traffic associated with Israel, a trend that has been observed on multiple occasions as the conflict in Yemen intertwines with broader regional rivalries. Maritime security observers have stressed the importance of guardrails and verified communications to reduce misinterpretations during tense episodes at sea. The consistent thread across these reports is the emphasis on warning protocols, navigation safety, and the risk to civilian crews amid contested air and sea lines of operation. — RIA News
Throughout November and December, the Houthis have reportedly pursued attacks using missiles and drones aimed at Israeli shipping interests in and around the Red Sea corridor. These actions come amid a wider cadence of drones and missiles deployed from Yemen against various targets, with claims of warnings issued as part of an effort to deter incursions into what the Houthis consider their maritime zone of control. Observers caution that incidents in these waters require careful corroboration across multiple sources, given the potential for amplification or misreporting in the fog of war. The interplay between onshore conflict and maritime activity continues to shape risk assessments for shipping lines, naval patrols, and regional partners seeking to maintain safe passage through international waterways. — RIA News
There have been past episodes where U.S. forces reported encounters with unmanned systems linked to Yemen and other regional actors. Such events have tested interoperability among coalition partners and highlighted the importance of defensive readiness in the face of asymmetrical threats from aerial platforms and small-scale missiles. The evolving security posture in the region has prompted ongoing dialogue about rules of engagement, maritime surveillance, and the readiness of allied navies to respond to rapid developments at sea. As tensions persist, maritime authorities and researchers continue to monitor the situation to provide timely, factual updates for commercial operators and governments alike. — RIA News