Yemen / Houthis

A multinational maritime task force headed by the United States that began patrolling the Red Sea last month stopped, but failed to prevent, a Houthi attack this past weekend on a MAERSK cargo vessel.

According to The Times, the US and the UK are preparing to launch a wave of air strikes against the Houthis, possibly with the participation of at least one European nation and maybe more, after a final warning is issued.

Naval helicopters responded to a distress call in the Red Sea.

Two hours earlier, the Israeli military announced that an Israeli Air Force fighter jet had shot down a “hostile aerial target that was on its way to Israeli territory.”

The Houthis vowed in early December to target any ship sailing to or from Israel in the Red Sea, regardless of its ownership.

The point of Operation Prosperity Guardian is not really clear, with vessels from multiple nations already operating in the Red Sea.

The announcement means good news for both the Israeli and Egyptian economies.

Use of the route has grown exponentially in the wake of the Houthi attacks on commercial vessels.

Israel will respond to Houthis attacks when it deems it necessary.

The Houthis’ political views are vague and contradictory, and their slogans often contradict their actions.

In typical Israeli style, the skit pokes fun at the Yemeni Houthis who say they have "joined the fight" against Israel launched on October 7th by Hamas in Gaza.

Bahrain is the only Arab country to publicly sign on to the initiative.

"We'll continue to provide Israel with the equipment that you need to defend your country . . . including critical munitions, tactical vehicles and air defense systems."

Seven top global shipping firms have opted for safety over risk, and suspended their Red Sea transit routes despite the added time and expense.

"In light of the deteriorating security situation for shipping in the Red Sea, BP has decided to temporarily pause all transits through the Red Sea."

The Houthis announced earlier on Saturday that they launched a wave of drones towards Eilat.

Thanks to the Houthis attacking ships, the land-route has become very popular.

The attack caused a fire and damage but no casualties.

The US asked Israel not to respond to the Houthi attacks.

The Houthi leader also threatened ships escorting vessels en route to Israel.

Washington told Israel to let the American military handle the Houthi threat, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The missile was intercepted in the Red Sea area.

Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have been ramping up their attacks on Israeli-linked and other commercial vessels as they traverse the international waterway.

The 22-member crew of the Central Park was uninjured, according to CENTCOM.

The pirates were arrested and are being questioned by the US military under counter-piracy authorities.

US Naval forces are "engaged in the situation," the Ambrey security firm reported.

Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen launched several attacks on Saturday towards Eilat, the southernmost city in Israel. All were intercepted.

Rocket fire aimed at Israel has also continued from across Israel's northern and southern border from the early morning hours and throughout the day.

The Houthis have been launching long-range ballistic missiles and combat drones at the Jewish State to express their solidarity with Hamas in its war against Israel.

"The target did not cross into Israeli territory, and was intercepted according to protocol," the IDF said.