The Houthi movement in Yemen claims to have successfully targeted a US-operated merchant ship named KOI in the Red Sea. The Houthi spokesperson, Yahya Sarea, stated that the attack involved "several appropriate naval missiles" and accused the ship of heading to "the ports of occupied Palestine," referring to Israel. The KOI is reported to be a Liberian-flagged container ship operated by UK-based Oceonix Services.

Maritime security firm Ambrey confirmed an explosion on board a vessel south of Yemen's port of Aden but did not specifically identify the targeted ship. This incident follows a missile attack on the oil tanker Marlin Luanda, also operated by Oceonix Services, over the weekend.

The Houthi movement considers Israeli, US, and British ships as legitimate targets, citing their opposition to actions by these countries, including Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaza and US-British efforts to protect commerce by targeting Houthi missile positions.

In response to the maritime incident, the US launched new airstrikes in Yemen, targeting 10 drones reportedly being prepared for launch. US Central Command stated that the drones posed a threat to merchant vessels and US warships in the region. The airstrikes resulted in the destruction of all 10 drones and a Houthi drone ground control station.

Furthermore, the US reported that one of its warships intercepted and shot down three Iranian drones and a Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile in the Gulf of Aden. This escalation in military actions raises concerns about potential disruptions to international trade and fears of supply bottlenecks due to Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.

The Houthi spokesperson warned of Yemen's readiness to retaliate against what was termed as "British-American escalation," emphasizing that all American and British ships in the Red and Arabian Seas are considered legitimate targets as long as the perceived aggression continues. The situation remains tense, with ongoing military actions impacting the region's stability.