Yemeni Rebels Allege Assault on American Vessel and Cargo Ship Amid United Nations Deliberations

Recently, US Central Command announced that the Mason was part of the latest series of attacks. They shared that on May 13, the Mason successfully intercepted an anti-ship ballistic missile. Additionally, they took down two drones launched by the Houthi that same day.

According to EUNAVFOR Aspides, a total of 13 drones and missiles have been neutralized by US and EU forces over the past week. Another drone was reported to have crashed. These attacks intensified after the Houthi declared a fourth wave of assaults.

In a recent report, credit was taken for targeting a vessel known only as the “Destiny.” While it is suspected to be one of the bulkers in the region, the exact details remain unclear. The vessel was allegedly targeted for stopping in the Israeli port of Eilat on the northern Red Sea.

The Houthi accused the vessel of visiting the port on April 20 but concealing it in its AIS transmission. They claim the ship was warned about violating their ban and subsequently marked as a target. Allegedly, the vessel was fired upon while in the Red Sea.

During a UN Security Council meeting on May 13, a US representative highlighted the dangers posed by the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. They urged the Security Council to take more decisive action against Iran’s weapon exports to the Houthi. Meanwhile, the UK representative raised concerns about vessels entering Houthi-controlled ports without notifying the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism, potentially smuggling illegal weapons.

Many Security Council members called on the Houthi to stop targeting vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to ensure peace and stability. The Russian Federation expressed concern over factors hindering Yemen’s normalization, including Western strikes and militarization of surrounding waters.

UN officials emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving the long-standing conflict in Yemen. They mentioned a roadmap agreed upon last year for a nationwide ceasefire, humanitarian relief, and inclusive political processes. There are hopes that Saudi Arabia will lead renewed efforts to implement the roadmap and achieve a lasting peace in Yemen.