The Houthi rebels of Yemen claim they have sunk a UK ship and downed a US drone as the group’s skirmishes with Western forces escalate.
In a statement released on Monday evening, they said: “The total number of armed forces operations during the past 24 hours reached four operations. The first targeted a British ship and the operation resulted in its complete sinking, thanks to Allah.
“The second operation targeted the American aircraft MQ9 in the airspace of Hodeidah Governorate, while the last two operations targeted two American ships.
“The Yemeni Armed Forces affirm their full right to take further military measures in the Red and Arab seas in defence of our people, our country, and our nation, and in confirmation of their position in support of the oppressed Palestinian people, and that their operations in the Red and Arab Bahrain will escalate and will not stop until the aggression stops and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted.”
The alleged attack on US and UK forces comes after weeks of Houthi assaults on shipping in the Red Sea.
American and British forces have launched attacks on Houthi boats and bases in the region.
The group has vowed to continue disrupting international trade until Israel stops its campaign against Hamas in Gaza.
Israel’s attacks on Gaza have killed more than 28,000 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry there. Israel declared war on the terror group after Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis during its October 7 attack.
The Israel Defence Force’s latest operations in the southern city of Rafah have been met with condemnation from leaders in the US and UK.
The Houthi claim comes after a British cargo ship was significantly damaged yesterday.
A Houthi spokesman previously said: “The ship suffered catastrophic damage and came to a complete halt. As a result of the extensive damage the ship suffered, it is now at risk of potential sinking in the Gulf of Aden.”
The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said an explosion “in close proximity of the vessel” damaged it.
The crew were reportedly able to escape from the ship.
