Yemen's Houthis Now Using Kamikaze Drone Boats

Armed men stand on the beach as the Galaxy Leader commercial ship, seized by Yemen's Houthis last month, is anchored off the coast of al-Salif, Yemen, December 5, 2023. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah

Business Insider: US Navy admiral says ships in the Middle East are now facing a new challenge: Houthi drone boats packed with explosives

* The Houthis on Thursday launched an explosive drone boat into key waters off the coast of Yemen.

* A US Navy admiral said the drone detonated in international shipping lanes without causing harm.

* It's the first time the rebels have done this since they started attacking ships in November.

Houthi rebels have introduced a new and dangerous threat to commercial vessels, as well as US and allied warships, operating in key waterways off the coast of Yemen: drone boats packed with explosives.

Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, who leads US Naval Forces Central Command, said the Houthis on Thursday deployed a one-way attack unmanned surface vessel, or USV, for the first time since the Iran-backed militants started attacking ships in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and Gulf of Aden several weeks ago.

The Houthis originally launched the USV from Yemen and it transited around 15 miles into international shipping lanes "with the intent to do harm," Cooper told reporters. But the drone eventually detonated without hitting any ships or causing any casualties.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The Houthis are not going to de-escalate. This launch of a kamikaze sea drone against Red Sea shipping only confirms a gut feeling that the Houthis are spoiling for a fight against the West.

Yemen's Houthis Now Using Kamikaze Drone Ships

Houthis launch sea drone to attack ships hours after US, allies issue final warning -- AP

Explosives-Laden Houthi Boat Detonates in Red Sea -US Navy -- Reuters

Houthis launch another drone attack against Red Sea shipping lanes -- CNN

‘Packed with explosives’: Houthis launch unmanned vessel in Red Sea, fail to strike ships, US says -- Breaking Defense

Houthis claim hit on cargo ship in Red Sea but US official says drone ship missed -- Times of Israel

America gave the Houthis a ‘final warning’ in the Red Sea, and they responded with a sea drone to attack more ships -- Fortune

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