Sana’a, August 8 —Yemeni military forces affiliated with the Houthi Ansarullah movement have attacked an Israeli commercial ship and two U.S. warships in the Red Sea, according to a statement released on Wednesday by Yemeni military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Sari. The attacks reportedly involved the use of ballistic missiles and drones.

General Sari confirmed that the targeted U.S. warships, the destroyers USS Cole and USS Labun, were struck while en route through the Gulf of Aden toward the northern Red Sea, where they were reportedly intended to provide protection for Israeli interests. The Houthi forces also targeted an Israeli commercial vessel in the Red Sea.

Sari described the attacks as "successful" and emphasized that Yemen’s missile unit, drone unit, and naval force all participated in the operations. The full extent of the damage and any potential casualties from the attacks have not been disclosed by either the United States or Israel.

The attacks come amid heightened regional tensions following Hamas’s large-scale military operation against Israel on October 7 of the previous year, which prompted intense Israeli airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza. The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 40,000 Palestinian deaths, most of whom were women and children, with injuries exceeding one million.

In retaliation for the Israeli actions in Gaza, the Houthi movement, which is backed by Iran, has increasingly targeted Israeli and allied maritime assets. Over the past ten months, the Houthis have declared U.S., British, and Israeli ships as legitimate targets, carrying out hundreds of attacks that have severely disrupted maritime activities in the region. The Houthi forces have also nearly halted operations at a key Israeli seaport through their sustained attacks.

The latest Houthi strikes underscore the continuing instability in the region, with potential for further escalation as the conflict drags on. The situation remains fluid, with international observers closely monitoring the developments.