The Houthis launched missile strikes against commercial ships in the Red Sea and claimed to shoot down a US drone over Yemen.
This escalation came as Iran continues assisting the Houthis with intelligence and targeting.
A US cyberattack targeted an Iranian military cargo ship believed to be sharing intelligence with the Houthis.
“We know she was taking in water. There is nobody on board now. The owners and managers are considering options for towage,” security firm LSS-SAPU stated.
“Between 9:30 and 10:45 p.m., Feb. 18, two anti-ship ballistic missiles were launched from Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen toward MV Rubymar, a Belize-flagged, UK-owned bulk carrier,” U.S. Central Command stated.
“One of the missiles struck the vessel, causing damage. The ship issued a distress call, and a coalition warship, along with another merchant vessel, responded to the call to assist the crew of the MV Rubymar. The crew was transported to a nearby port by the merchant vessel,” they said.
“Yemeni air defenses were able to shoot down an American plane (MQ-9) with a suitable missile while it was carrying out hostile missions against our country on behalf of the Zionist entity,” a Houthi spokesperson said. “Yemeni armed forces will not hesitate to take more military measures and carry out more qualitative operations against all hostile targets in defense of beloved Yemen.”
A US commander confirmed direct IRGC support and presence in Yemen advising the Houthis.
“For a decade, the Iranians have been supplying the Houthis,” Vice Admiral Brad Cooper said. “They’ve been resupplying them. They’re resupplying them as we sit here right now, at sea. We know this is happening. They’re advising them, and they’re providing targeting information. This is crystal clear.”
“The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps is inside Yemen, and they are serving side by side — with the Houthis, advising them and providing targeting information,” he later said.
President Biden has been unwilling to sufficiently deter the attacks, with his Middle East policy facing criticism as weak.
While Biden acknowledged his Houthi strategy isn’t working, he risks further damage to US interests without a stronger response, compounding perceptions of Biden as ineffective on the world stage.
Most Popular:
FBI Informant Who Criticized Biden Gets Bad News
Drag Queen Principal Learns His Fate Amid Controversy
